Darlene Love's love for singing and the magic and emotional connection it brings.
Her commitment to maintaining high energy levels through physical fitness and embracing age.
The importance of resilience, kindness, and not letting others' expectations hinder one's potential.
Deep dives
Darlene Love's Journey as a Singer
Darlene Love shares her love for singing and the joy it brings her. She recounts a pivotal performance where she initially froze on stage but ended up delivering a powerful and emotional performance of 'Far From the Home I Love.' Despite occasional nerves and anxiety when performing in front of large crowds, Darlene continues to love music and singing, appreciating the magic and emotional connection it brings. She discusses her experiences working with notable artists like Elvis Presley, Dionne Warwick, and Aretha Franklin, highlighting the importance of gospel music in her career. Darlene also talks about her love for harmony, her positive energy on stage, and the support she received from her father, who was a minister. She reflects on the challenges and triumphs of her career, including her complicated relationship with Phil Spector and her decision to sue him for unpaid royalties. Through it all, Darlene's resilience, strength, and joy for music shine through.
Age, Energy, and Inspiration
Darlene Love discusses her youthful energy and how she feels younger than her actual age. She credits her father's promptness and her own energetic nature for her ability to maintain high energy levels. Darlene shares her commitment to physical fitness, including participating in kickboxing classes four times a week. She humorously mentions her husband's inability to keep up with her energetic lifestyle. She expresses her love for performing and how singing on stage allows her to lose herself in the moment. Darlene reflects on the importance of embracing age and not letting it hinder one's dreams and aspirations. She shares her belief in the power of singing and the transcendence it brings, particularly in gospel and soul music.
Lessons of Resilience and Kindness
Darlene Love opens up about the challenges she faced in her personal life, including the pressure she felt as a mother and navigating her sons' struggles with drugs and incarceration. She emphasizes the importance of not carrying hate in her heart and instead focusing on resilience and kindness. Darlene shares her belief in following one's dreams and not letting others' expectations limit one's potential. She recounts the obstacles she faced in her career, including being undervalued and controlled by men in the music industry. Despite these challenges, she remained determined, grateful for the opportunities to work with renowned artists who inspired her. Darlene also touches on her experience of having a heart attack, recognizing the need for self-care and physical well-being. Through it all, she remains grateful for her career, the joy of performing, and the gift of using her voice to connect with others.
The Impact of Singing and Music
Darlene Love expresses her deep love for singing and the impact music has on her and others. She shares her admiration for the power of music, describing it as primal and wonderful. Darlene highlights the beauty of various singing styles, including opera, jazz, rock and roll, and her personal favorites, gospel and soul. She reflects on her experiences working with legendary singers like Elvis Presley, Sam Cooke, and Dion Warwick, recognizing their talents and contributions to music. Darlene emphasizes the transformative and transcendental nature of great singing. She expresses her desire to be able to sing and the joy it brings, and her appreciation for the emotional connection between singers and their audiences.
Finding Strength and Overcoming Obstacles
Darlene Love shares her journey as a singer, including the obstacles and triumphs she faced. She discusses her initial struggles under the control of Phil Spector, expressing her dislike for his manipulative tactics and the impact it had on her career. Darlene recounts the pivotal moment when she decided to sue Phil Spector for unpaid royalties, becoming the first person to successfully do so. She reflects on the support she received from fellow musicians, such as Dionne Warwick and Cher, who encouraged her to pursue her dreams. Darlene emphasizes the importance of believing in oneself and not letting age or others' expectations limit personal and professional growth. Through it all, she remains resilient and appreciates the joy of using her talent to bring happiness to others.
This week on Wiser Than Me, Julia is joined by 81-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Fame singer Darlene Love. From her early days singing gospel music in her father’s church to backing up icons like Elvis Presley to finally going solo at age 40, Darlene is a case study in never giving up on your dreams. She tells Julia about raising her sons while building her career, how to balance being strong and kind, and what motivates her to give her best performances. And Julia shares a story with her mom Judith about getting the wrong kind of laugh on the set of Hannah and Her Sisters.
