By CFJCToday

Aretha Franklin, The Queen Of Soul, passes away

Aug 17, 2018 | 6:45 AM

The “Queen Of Soul” and one of the most iconic and important voices in the history of recorded sound, the great Aretha Franklin, died on August 16th at age 76 near her home in Detroit. Rolling Stone posted a statement from her publicist Gwendolyn Quinn, which read, “It is with deep and profound sadness that we announce the passing of Aretha Louise Franklin, the Queen of Soul. Franklin passed away on Thursday morning, August 16th at 9:50 a.m. at her home in Detroit, MI, surrounded by family and loved ones. In one of the darkest moments of our lives, we are not able to find the appropriate words to express the pain in our heart. We have lost the matriarch and rock of our family. The love she had for her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins knew no bounds. We have been deeply touched by the incredible outpouring of love and support we have received from close friends, supporters and fans all around the world. Thank you for your compassion and prayers. We have felt your love for Aretha and it brings us comfort to know that her legacy will live on. As we grieve, we ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time.”

Aretha Franklin remains the most charted female on the Billboard magazine lists, with a whopping 73 charting records. In 1987 Aretha became the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. To date, she has sold 75 million records globally, making her one of the best-selling singers in history. She won 18 Grammy Awards, earned Grammy Lifetime Achievement and a Grammy Living Legend Award. In 1994 she received the Kennedy Center Honor and in 2005 she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor.

Aretha Franklin will forever be remembered for such timeless hits as “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”, “I Say A Little Prayer,” “I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You),” “Spanish Harlem” “Think,” “Rock Steady”, “Jump To It”, “Who’s Zoomin’ Who”, “Chain Of Fools”, “Until You Come Back To Me (That’s What I’m Gonna Do)”, “Something He Can Feel”, “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” — with George Michael, and “Freeway Of Love,” among countless others.

ARTISTS REACTIONS ON SOCIAL MEDIA – via Ultimate Classic Rock:

Paul McCartney: “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”

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Ringo Starr: “God bless Aretha Franklin the queen of soul and peace and love to her family”

The Rolling Stones: “Very sad to hear the news about Aretha, she was so inspiring and wherever you were she always brought you to church.”

Keith Richards: “It’s a sad day but what a glorious lady. Her voice says it all!”

Brian Wilson: “I’m very sad to hear about Aretha Franklin passing. She was one of the greatest and most emotional singers. I used to love listening to her in the sixties but her music is timeless. Love & Mercy to Aretha’s family and friends.”

Elton John: “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. I was fortunate enough to spend time with her and witness her last performance — a benefit for at ejaf at St John The Divine Cathedral. She was obviously unwell, and I wasn’t sure she could perform. But Aretha did and she raised the roof. She sang and played magnificently, and we all wept. We were witnessing the greatest soul artist of all time. I adored her and worshipped her talent. God bless her. My condolences to all her family and friends. We shared the same birthday — and that meant so much to me. The whole world will miss her but will always rejoice in her remarkable legacy. The Queen is dead. Long live the Queen. Love Elton”

Barack Obama: “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.”

Michelle Obama: “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.”

Hilary Clinton: “Mourning the loss today of @ArethaFranklin who shared her spirit and talent with the world. She deserves not only our RESPECT but also our lasting gratitude for opening our eyes, ears and hearts. Rest in eternal peace, my friend.”

Patti LaBelle: “I am deeply saddened about the passing of the Queen of Soul and my sister in song, Aretha Franklin. Today the world has experienced a tremendous loss. Aretha was a rare treasure whose unmatched musical genius helped craft the soundtrack to the lives of so many. My sympathy, love and prayers go out to her family, loved ones and fans around the globe.”

Mariah Carey: “Aretha Franklin. The Queen of Soul. The Icon. The ultimate singers’ singer. The greatest singer and musician of my lifetime. The power of your voice in music and in civil rights blew open the door for me and so many others. You were my inspiration, my mentor and my friend. You showed me I could sing the songs I wanted to sing and bring God with me. You’ve inspired millions everywhere yet never left home, never left church. Today the entire world mourns your home-going and celebrates all the brilliance you left behind. I will forever cherish the moments I spent in your presence. Your indelible impact was earned not only by your incomparable voice but by your bigger than life personality, wit and humor. I say a BIG prayer for you. You will forever have all our RESPECT. Love, Mariah “

Lenny Kravitz: “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!”

FAST FACTS

Aretha Louise Franklin was born in Memphis, Tennessee on March 25, 1942.
Performed at President Bill Clinton‘s presidential inauguration in 1992.
Sang “God Bless America” at the inauguration of Barack Obama on January 20, 2009.
Her father Rev. C.L. Franklin was shot and killed by a burglar in 1984.
She has released 38 studio albums, six live albums, and 46 compilation albums.
Suffers from a fear of flying that affects her schedule–she declined attending her Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction because of it.
Her voice was designated a “Natural Resource” by the State of Michigan.
Is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Ranked #1 on VH1’s Greatest Women of Rock N Roll
Was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush in 2005.
Can’t read music.
Voted the greatest singer of the rock era in a Rolling Stone magazine poll in 2008.
Grew up with Smokey Robinson
Got engaged to longtime friend, William “Willie” Wilkerson in 2012.
Was Whitney Houston‘s godmother.
Has four children. Gave birth to her first child at age 14.

CHECK IT OUT: Aretha Franklin’s 1967 track “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You):

by CFJCToday

Aretha Franklin, The Queen Of Soul, passes away

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