Tributes are flowing for the ‘Queen Of Soul’ Aretha Franklin, who has died at the age of 76.
Franklin died at her home in Detroit due to advanced pancreatic cancer, her family revealed in a statement.
“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,” they said.
“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.”
The likes of Elton John, Missy Elliott, Brian Wilson, Justin Timberlake, Cat Power and Christina Aguilera have since paid tribute to Franklin, with Elton John writing:
“The loss of Aretha Franklin 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 the Elton John AIDS Foundation 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.”
Franklin was reported to be “gravely ill” earlier this week, after performing her final concert in New York on 2nd November.
Franklin was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, and won a total of 18 Grammy Awards.
She is best known for her recordings of songs like ‘Respect’, ‘I Say A Little Prayer’, ‘(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman’ and ‘Son Of A Preacher Man’.
Read a number of the tributes to Franklin, below.
UPDATE: Watch Ariana Grande’s Emotional Aretha Franklin Tribute On ‘Fallon’
Aretha was such a timeless inspiration to me and so many others, the ultimate queen, thank you for the gift of your voice, music and unshakeable soul ?? pic.twitter.com/me3FXBY4WZ
— Christina Aguilera (@xtina) August 16, 2018
https://twitter.com/BrianWilsonLive/status/1030112512602263554
Rest easy #ARETHAFRANKLIN I imagine u in heaven performing & still making people souls move?? this was my aunt favorite record #RockSteady you will always be the Queen of Soul you been that before many of us were born! Thank you for giving us LEGENDARY TIMELESS music ??❤️ pic.twitter.com/bEueBCLGJ9
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) August 16, 2018
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
https://twitter.com/ArianaGrande/status/1030114554540376066
