Aretha ‘Queen of Soul’ Franklin Succumbs to Illness

Singer, songwriter, and musical legend Aretha Louise Franklin succumbed to a courageous bout with Pancreatic Cancer on August 16, 2018, at her Detroit, Michigan home at the age of 76.

As a international singer, songwriter and pianist, Aretha began her career as a child singing gospel music at New Bethel Gospel Church in Detroit, Michigan, where her father, C.L. Franklin was minister. In 1960, at the age of 18, she embarked on a secular music career achieving major success.

The story of “Respect,” one of her most world-shaking statements in vocals, is one of authorship and spoke volumes for women and the Civil Rights movement. Aretha earned her Queen of Soul title even before “Respect” became a huge hit for her in 1967.

Stevie Wonder, who flew out from Los Angeles to Detroit to visit the singer during her last days, recalls his fond memories of Aretha:

“She did incredible music, incredible singer. She touched every genre. Every singer was influenced in some way by the way she sang. They will forever be influenced by her because of her voice, her emotion, her sincerity is unforgettable,” he said.

Stevie Wonder also revealed he and Franklin had made plans to make new music just months ago.

“I remember hearing her singing at the Reverend Franklin’s church when I was little — maybe I was 4 or 5 years old. My mother would always listen to the church services on Sunday,” Wonder continued. “The voices I remember most in my life are, Dr. King, her voice, and her father, Reverend Franklin. She was just a great human being and she always — no matter what turmoil may be happening in her life did not put that on anybody else. She believed most of all that she was doing God’s work,” said Wonder. “She brought joy to a lot of lives and her voice and the essence of her will stay with all of us,” he concluded.

The legendary singer leaves behind a definitive testament to the capabilities of the human voice to that which underlies identity and gets called soul. Her hits, from the 1960s to the 1980s, and helped define a era in the life of many people.

Funeral Service Arrangements:

Aretha Franklin’s funeral service will be held at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit at 10 a.m. on Aug. 31, 2018. Greater Grace Temple is the church where the legendary musician sang at Rosa Parks’ funeral. Public viewings will take place Aug. 28 and Aug. 29 at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.