The World has lost a musical legend and icon.
Aretha Franklin, the undisputed Queen of Soul passed away Thursday at the age of 76 after what was suspected to be a long battle with cancer.
Via TMZ:
Aretha passed away in her Detroit home where she was under hospice care. She’d been in failing health for many months and she was down to 86 pounds. One source told us he was informed more than a week ago that Aretha could go at any time.
She was surrounded by friends and family when she passed. Her family released a statement, saying, “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.”
Born in Memphis but would later relocate to Detroit with her family, Franklin got her career started singing gospel in her Father’s church. From there critics took notice of her powerful voice which eventually landed her a deal with Columbia Records in the early 1960’s. And it was during the 60’s Franklin began to ascend to legend status which was remarkable in and of itself, more so though however factoring in that success along with her being a black woman during the contentious Civil Rights movement.
The Queen of Soul would go on to have the most entries on the top 100 of any female artist a feet that would last for 40-years until Nicki Minaj broke that record in 2017. Nonetheless though, Franklin also went on to capture 18 Grammy’s and become the first woman inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
Known for such hits like “Respect,” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman“, Franklin also had a knack for delivering powerful live performances. This included a rendition of “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” during Barack Obama’s 2009 Inauguration.
Unfortunately as her health began to decline, the Queen drastically cut back her touring schedule and made very few public appearances. Her last of such came during an Elton John AIDS Foundation benefit last November. There was also talk about her opening up a club in her hometown of Detroit so she could still perform locally however that never came to fruition.
Franklin is survived by her four sons and an incredible legacy as one of the greatest the Music World will ever see.