senckađ
Group745
Group745
Group745
Group745
Group745
Group745
Creative in association withGear Seven
Group745

Verbatim’s Gillian Laub Directs Aretha Franklin Live Performance for TIME

21/09/2017
Photography
London, United Kingdom
52
Share
The soul legend proves she's still got it at 75 as part of TIME magazine's Firsts project
Photographer and filmmaker Gillian Laub of Verbatim, the commercial assignments agency, has directed an exclusive live performance by Aretha Franklin published this week by TIME magazine as part of its Firsts project, celebrating the achievements of 46 women who have been the first in their respective fields.

Laub’s film captures Aretha Franklin returning to her father’s church in Detroit, Michgan, where 70 years ago as a young girl she first performed a gospel song, to perform a six-minute rendition of “Rock of Ages”.  The project also features an interview by TIME contributor Alexandra Genova.

In 1987, Franklin became the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame after hits such as “Respect” and “Natural Woman” have made her a household name.


Gillian Laub commented: “It was such a true honor to witness and capture such an intimate performance by the great Aretha Franklin. It felt like a truly religious experience having The queen of soul sing in her father's old church.  She got quite emotional and it was very moving for everyone present.  I am delighted to have had the opportunity to contribute to TIME’s excellent First’s project.”

Aretha Franklin is one of 46 women to be featured in TIME’s Firsts, celebrating women who are the first in their field. Read the full interview here.

Gillian Laub is a photographer and filmmaker based in New York. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in comparative literature before studying photography at the International Center of Photography, where her love of visual storytelling and family narratives began. Laub contributes to many publications including TIME and The New York Times Magazine. Her work is collected and exhibited internationally.  On the commercial side, Gillian has shot campaigns for brands such as PUMA, Airbnb, Fusion and ESPN.
Credits