to talk about the gospel music that got to her first and singers like the great gospel singer clara ward that were a huge influence. in later years, aretha was a walking event, an icon and a treasure. she survived a lot of health scares and she gave fewer interviews when her life took a more reclusive turn. i was honored to sit with her here in new york back in 2012 for what became our fim conversation. >> i had no idea for the longest kind of time that i could sing. clara ward who was one of my mentors along with my dad came to our church, the new bethal baptist church out in detroit and she sung. we used to have programs after the service in the morning. she sung and i knew that was what i wanted to do. i said that's what i want to do. after hearing her and she just -- she tore up the church.