Aretha Franklin, Queen Of Soul, Dead At 76

Aretha Franklin, the "Queen of Soul," has died. According to the Associated Press, Franklin's publicist confirmed the legendary singer died Thursday (August 16) at her residence in Detroit soon after suffering complications from advanced pancreatic cancer. She was 76.


News of Franklin's death comes just days soon after a few reports that she was seriously ill and that her companions and family member had gathered in Detroit to be with her. Longtime entertainment reporter Roger Friedman of Showbiz 411 first announced on August 12, "She is gravely ill in Detroit. The family member is asking for prayers and privacy."


Franklin — who revolutionized American music and became one of the top-selling female musicians of all time — had contended with countless health issues over the years, especially while in the past decade. She was forced to cancel shows in 2010 to have surgery on a tumor, and she canceled more shows in 2013 and 2017 for undisclosed health reasons. This year, she canceled a pair of shows in March soon after she was grouped by her doctor to stay off the road and rest totally for at least the next two months," her management team said at the time.


Last year, Franklin announced her plans to retire from touring, saying she would perform at "some select things." One of these select events was Elton John's annual AIDS Foundation gala in November 2017, where she sang "I Mention A little bit Prayer" and "Freeway of Love." The efficiency came while in the same month because the arrival of her 42nd studio album, A Brand New Me.


Born in Memphis and raised in Detroit, Franklin spent her childhood singing in her father's church, laying the groundwork for a career build onto gospel and soul. She was signed to Columbia Records at 18, and rose to stardom over the next few years, hitting the charts with "Respect," "Think," and also you Make Me Feel Like a) Organic Woman."


By the 1960s, Franklin was being called "the Queen of Soul," and while in the next few decades, she earned that title by selling more than 75 million albums, winning 18 Grammys, and recording 17 Top 10 hits. She was nominated twice at the MTV Video Music Awards: "Freeway of Love" was up for Female Video in 1986, and the following year, "Jumpin' Jack Flash" was up for Video from a Film. She also became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, acquiring the honor in 1987. While in her prolific career, she delivered a number of iconic performances, including singing at the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., And at the inaugurations of Presidents Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama.


Franklin is survived by her four sons — Ted White Jr., Kecalf Cunningham, Clarence Franklin, and Edward Franklin — and a number of grandchildren.