The world became a little less soulful on Thursday as Aretha Franklin passed away at the age of 76.
The Respect singer died in her Detroit home as s result of advanced pancreatic cancer.
Dubbed the “Queen of Soul”, Aretha has no less than 18 Grammys to her name and was the very first woman to be inducted into the prestigious Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame. She had 88 Billboard chart hits during the rock era, tops among female vocalists. At the peak of her career, she had more than two dozen Top 40 hits.
The late icon had been in poor health of late, with friends and family visiting her bedside. Amongst them was fellow legendary musician, Steve Wonder, and Reverend Jesse Jackson.
“Aretha helped define the American experience,” former President Barack Obama said in a statement. “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.”
Many stars have now paid tribute to Miss Franklin following her death, including Elton John who said that their shared birthday meant so much to him:
The loss of @ArethaFranklin is a blow for everybody who loves real music: Music from the heart, the soul and the Church. Her voice was unique, her piano playing underrated – she was one of my favourite pianists. pic.twitter.com/ug5oZYywAz
— Elton John (@eltonofficial) August 16, 2018
Fellow diva Diana Ross had Aretha in her prayers:
I’m sitting in prayer for the wonderful golden spirit Aretha Franklin.
— Ms. Ross (@DianaRoss) August 16, 2018
Crooner John Legend called the late singer the greatest vocalist he’s ever known:
I’m sitting in prayer for the wonderful golden spirit Aretha Franklin.
— Ms. Ross (@DianaRoss) August 16, 2018
Sir Paul McCartney declared that the memory of her greatness will live on:
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
Barbara Streisand brought attention to Aretha’s commitment to civil rights:
This photo was taken in 2012 when Aretha & I performed at a tribute celebration for our friend Marvin Hamlisch. It’s difficult to conceive of a world without her. Not only was she a uniquely brilliant singer,but her commitment to civil rights made an indelible impact on the world pic.twitter.com/Px9zVB90MM
— Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) August 16, 2018
And Lenny Kravitz stated that the Queen is now sitting on a heavenly throne:
The Queen of Soul has left this earth to sit on her throne in heaven. How blessed we were to hear the best that God had to offer in her voice. RESPECT!
📷: Mark Seliger pic.twitter.com/v9OxtyrZ74— Lenny Kravitz (@LennyKravitz) August 16, 2018
RIP, Miss Franklin. You definitely deserved all the respect you earned.
