Aretha Franklin is dead. On Thursday, August 16, 2018 (the day that is also the 41st anniversary of the death of Elvis Presley ), the legendary Respect and I Say hits Little Prayer at the age of 76 at her home. Detroit, Michigan, surrounded by family and loved ones. A sad news announced by TMZ that comes days after his entourage revealed that the American star was “in need of prayer ” and that she was ” in serious condition ” .
It was about eight years since the Queen of Soul bravely fought (and quietly) against a cancer that had been diagnosed in 2010. The one who last sang in November 2017 on the occasion of the founding of Elton John against AIDS had had his first surgery shortly after diagnosis, and then took time to follow various treatments.
During his long career, Aretha Franklin has won 18 Grammy Awards, the most prestigious musical awards. She is also the first woman to be admitted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the American pantheon of rock. In 2005, she received from President George W. Bush the Liberty Medal, the highest honor for a civilian in the United States. In January 2009, she sang for the inauguration of President Barack Obama , the first African American president in the history of the United States.
Her main hits include (A Woman You Like Me) , Day Dreaming , Jump to It , Freeway of Love and A Rose Is Still A Rose .
Oprah Winfrey once hosted Franklin in her talk show. “We will miss you Queen”, the presenter twitters.
We’ll miss you Queen. #ArethaQueenForever pic.twitter.com/hus3lw5pwG
— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) August 16, 2018
Since the death of the singer her famous songs creep up again in the charts. In the iTunes top list Respect is number 1, followed by her hit (You make me feel like) A natural woman .
Aretha Franklin songs jump up the US iTunes Chart after the sad news of her passing, with ‘Respect’ occupying the #1 spot. pic.twitter.com/MkmrkMBbQm
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) August 16, 2018
Singer Britney Spears also shared something on Twitter: “The world has lost a terribly talented woman today.”
The world lost an incredibly talented woman today. Rest In Peace, @ArethaFranklin… your legacy and music will forever inspire us and future generations 💛 pic.twitter.com/me6FiFo1lM
— Britney Spears (@britneyspears) August 16, 2018
Justin Timberlake once sang with Franklin. He shares a photo of that performance on Thursday. “This is the face of a young man who could not believe he was really singing with the best of all time.”
This is the face of a young man who couldn’t believe he was actually singing with the GREATEST OF ALL TIME. Thank you, Ms. Franklin for blessing us with your incomparable gift. Honored to have shared the stage with you even for a moment. Always bowing down to you. #QueenofSoul pic.twitter.com/4bZVAWcqeS
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) August 16, 2018