Aretha Franklin Celebrates 70th Birthday, Prepares for New Album

Musical legend Aretha Franklin celebrated her 70th birthday alongside a few notable names in the entertainment industry on Saturday, but it turned out that there was one more cause for celebration.

At Franklin’s birthday party, reportedly held at New York’s posh Helmsley Park Lane Hotel, the Queen of Soul announced that she will be teaming up once again with her longtime friend and mentor, Clive Davis.

“I have re-signed with Clive Davis, so I’m recording with Clive again,” Franklin told the Associated Press at the party, adding that after Davis’ birthday next month, the two will “sit together and decide what it is we’re going to record.”

According to the AP’s report, Davis and Franklin sat together for most of the party, which had several notable names such as Diane Sawyer, Rev. Al Sharpton, and even Willie Wilkerson, one of the singer’s closest companions throughout the years.

This isn’t the first time that Franklin has signed with Davis–in fact, the latest announcement seems a bit like history repeating itself. Davis played a pivotal role in Franklin’s comeback in the 80s when he signed Franklin to his record label, Arista Records. After signing with the label, Aretha went on to release Jump To It, her first gold album in since 1976, and had several successes thereafter.

Are you looking forward to Aretha Franklin’s new album?