At least Aretha is an ideal choice for Inauguration...

I am still reeling - as many of you are too - over the selection of anti-gay pastor Rick Warren to give the invocation at the inauguration. It is such a slap in the face to the gay community that - despite President-elect Barack Obama's refusal to support same-sex marriage - still supported him in the presidential election. It is a serious lack of R-E-S-P-E-C-T.

But Aretha Franklin, I got no quibble with and will be thrilled to see her perform on this historic day. Here are some Aretha performances to remind us why she is The Queen! The first is a medley that includes "R-E-S-P-E-C-T."

Below is Aretha singing "Natural Woman" at the 1994 Grammys...

And finally, here is one of my all-time faves. It's Aretha and Michael McDonald singing their hit duet "Everchanging Times" at the 1992 Grammy Awards. A short time later, she joins the late Luther Vandross on stage for a rocking finale. Aretha, in her Pebbles Flintsone on acid hairdo, lost the Grammy that year to the great Patti LaBelle. But she has 18 others to keep her warm at night.