RIP “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin 1942-2018
Aretha Franklin, born in 1942, passed away at the age of 76 , at her home surrounded by her family in Detroit. She was the preacher’s daughter with a powerful voice, which made her the “Queen of Soul”. According to the statement issued by her family, “Official cause of death was due to advanced pancreatic cancer of the neuroendocrine type, which was confirmed by Franklin’s oncologist, Dr. Philip Phillips of Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit”.
She performed “Natural Woman” at the Kennedy Center Honors in December 2015, that left former U.s president Obama in tears. Her last live performance was on 7th November, 2017, for the Elton John AIDS Foundation gala in New York.
Aretha Franklin has to her credit that she was the first woman admitted to the Rock and Roll Hall of fame in 1987. She won 18 Grammy Awards, and has 88 Billboard Chart hits during her incredible rock era. She also had some 25 gold records. Rolling Stone magazine in 2010 named her the No. 1 singer of the rock era.
Aretha Franklin is an icon; whose music became the anthem for social change in the United States of America. She was active in the U.S. civil rights movement and sang at the funeral of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr in 1968.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FdFrtNacgU
She is the only singer who sang at the inauguration of two U.S presidents Bill Clinton and Barak Obama. She received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005.
From Martin Luther King Jr.’s funeral to the inauguration of our country’s first African-American president, Aretha Franklin was more than the Queen of Soul — she bore witness to a changing America. Our thoughts are with her family and friends. pic.twitter.com/COPIkLPlzB
— Democratic Party of New Mexico (@NMDEMS) August 16, 2018
Franklin dominated the early 70’s music scene in America as she had ruled the music charts with “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You),” “Baby, I Love You,” “Chain of Fools,” “Think,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “Do-Right Woman” and “Respect,” a cover of a Redding tune that also became a song of empowerment during the civil rights era.
Her popularity was revived in the mid 80’s with songs like “Freeway of Love,” a duet with George Michael named “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me),” “Sisters Are Doin’ It for Themselves,” “Who’s Zoomin’ Who?” and a cover of the Rolling Stones’ “Jumpin’ Jack Flash.”
Messages keep pouring in all over the social media, as people pay their respect and tributes to the “Queen of Soul”.
Aretha helped define the American experience. In her voice, we could feel our history, all of it and in every shade—our power and our pain, our darkness and our light, our quest for redemption and our hard-won respect. May the Queen of Soul rest in eternal peace. pic.twitter.com/bfASqKlLc5
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 16, 2018
Like people all around the world, Hillary and I are thinking about Aretha Franklin tonight & listening to her music that has been such an important part of our lives the last 50 years. We hope you’ll lift her up by listening and sharing her songs that have meant the most to you.
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) August 14, 2018
https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1030116078125568006
Soul singer icon Aretha Franklin's death just now – she was a contemporary of Miriam Makeba and when Miriam had me write her autobiography she remarked how she admired Aretha's civil rights commitments. Heartbroken Aretha sang at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s funeral. #QueenOfSoul pic.twitter.com/1Tu14lCXxe
— James Hall (@hallaboutafrica) August 16, 2018
Watching Aretha Franklin perform at the White House, and on so many other occasions, made time stand still. @BarackObama and I are holding Aretha’s family in our hearts right now. She will forever be our Queen of Soul. pic.twitter.com/NhHsbKijpl
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) August 16, 2018
My heart 💔 is broken with the loss of my Queen, my Mentor, my True Friend 😪
I will always cherish our moments together and LOVE YOU FOREVER. My heartfelt condolences to your family #ArethaFranklin #SoulSister #QueenofSoul 💖 pic.twitter.com/NB2UD7OhSI— C H A K A | K H A N (@ChakaKhan) August 16, 2018
Let’s all take a moment to give thanks for the beautiful life of Aretha Franklin, the Queen of our souls, who inspired us all for many many years. She will be missed but the memory of her greatness as a musician and a fine human being will live with us forever. Love Paul pic.twitter.com/jW4Gpwfdts
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) August 16, 2018
One of the highlights of my career was singing with #ArethaFranklin at The Tony Awards. It was an out of body experience for me. One of greatest singers of all time. You will be missed by all. https://t.co/L8dIIhyR9Y
— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) August 16, 2018
So incredibly grateful to have met the #QueenOfSoul Aretha Franklin. Thank you for everything you gave to this world. You will be missed ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Hh8y8EdPPA
— Stephanie McMahon (@StephMcMahon) August 16, 2018
We’ll miss you Queen. #ArethaQueenForever pic.twitter.com/hus3lw5pwG
— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) August 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/KhaledBeydoun/status/1030231344566218755
We mourn the passing of Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul. Her voice will keep lifting us, through the music she gave the world. Our thoughts are with her family, her loved ones and fans everywhere. Take her hand, precious Lord, and lead her home. 🎶 pic.twitter.com/I84HTEVZU1
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) August 16, 2018
👑 Aretha…..Go Gently Into That Good Night.Your Glorious,One Of a Kind Voice Will Be With Us Forever🙏🏻.
You were Always Just Beyond Our Reach#SkyLark— Cher (@cher) August 16, 2018
Aretha Franklin is the reason why I sing from that part deep inside of me that few could ever reach. She was my favorite and will always be. What a gift she has left all of us with her musical footprints. There will never be another like her. She was truly special. #QueenOfSoul
— Kelly Clarkson (@kellyclarkson) August 16, 2018
She passed away on the same day of August 16th, in 1977 we lost the king of Rock & Roll Elvis Presley.
August 16th: We Lost The King Of Rock & Roll in 1977 and Today We Lose The Queen of Soul in 2018. #RipArethaFranklin#QueenOfSoul pic.twitter.com/QY3jzPI87J
— ∼Marietta (@MariettaDaviz) August 16, 2018
