No diva un-dissed as BARBRA STREISAND gives ARTEHA FRANKLIN no stinkin’ R-E-S-P-E-C-T !
BARBRA STREISAND showed fellow singing legend ARETHA FRANKLIN no “R-E-S-P-E-C-T’ recently when the Queen of Soul suggested they go on tour together, according to an entertainment insider.
Not only did Babs bristle at the idea, the source says she turned up her nose and proclaimed that she doesn’t need to tour with ANYONE!
And that’s when the insider says that conversation between the 70-year-old music icons really heated up!
“Barbra bragged that she sells out venues all over the world and commands the biggest ticket price of anyone – she’ll be selling seats at prices as high as $1,500 on her upcoming tour,” a friend of the “Funny Girl” stage and screen icon revealed. “She doesn’t need to share top billing, and she doesn’t need a gimmick to sell tickets. I think she was insulted.”
The backstage run-in, according to the insider, came at the Sept. 18 tribute in New York to honor the late composer Marvin Hamlisch, who died on Aug. 6.
Before they crossed paths, Aretha sang a heartfelt rendition of the Hamlisch-composed classic “Nobody Does It Better,” while Barbra brought the crowd to its feet with a tear-jerking interpretation of “The Way We Were.” Stars like Liza Minnelli, Sarah Jessica Parker and Michael Douglas and his wife Catherine Zeta-Jones also attended the event, but all eyes were on the two divas, say sources.
Barbra will be beginning a limited North American tour in October in support of her new “Release Me” album, which features previously unreleased songs she’s recorded throughout the years. Meanwhile, Aretha, who only travels by bus, will be playing dates on the East Coast in October and November.
“They could have easily met up to perform together,” said the friend. “It was just an off-the-cuff suggestion from Aretha, but Barbra wasn’t interested.”
According to a music-business insider, Aretha is looking for something to put her on top. She recently re-signed with former mentor and music mogul Clive Davis and wants to put together a BIG show – like a night at Carnegie Hall with Barbra.
But Aretha is going to have to look for another legend to join her onstage.
“Barbra hasn’t shared top billing with anyone in 50 years,” says the friend, “and she’s not going to start now!”
