The “Queen Of Soul” Aretha Franklin Had A Career That Deserves Your Respect

“I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)” Almost Didn’t Happen

Photo Credit: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Like most great works, Aretha’s first big hit didn’t happen with ease. In fact, it almost didn’t happen thanks to a dispute in the studio. Apparently, according to Jimmy Johnson, who was a member of The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, there was a misunderstanding between the trumpet player and Aretha’s husband.

It got to the point where Jerry Wexler told Rick Hall to fire the trumpet player, which he did. Aretha’s husband went to back to the hotel, and when Hall followed to smooth things over, it only made things worse. Aretha and her husband would leave for home after only one day at Muscle Shoals, and the album would later be finished in New York.