Franklin funeral epic 8-hour event

Former presidents and preachers joined a parade of singers in a hip-swaying, piano-pounding farewell to Aretha Franklin, remembering the Queen of Soul as a powerful force for musical and political change and a steadfast friend and family member.

‘‘Aretha’s singing challenged the dangling discords of hate and lies and racism and injustice,’’ the pastor William J. Barber II said. ‘‘Her singing was revelation and was revolution.’’

In a send-off both grand and personal, a celebrity lineup of mourners filled the same Detroit church that hosted Rosa Parks’ funeral and offered prayers, songs and dozens of tributes. Guests included former President Bill Clinton, former first lady Hillary Clinton, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson.

Bill Clinton described himself as an Aretha Franklin ‘‘groupie,’’ saying he had loved her since college. He traced her life’s journey and praised her as someone who ‘‘lived with courage, not without fear, but overcoming her fears’’.

Lasting just over eight hours, the service at Greater Grace Temple encompassed many of the same elements and emotions that were hallmarks of Franklin’s more than six decades on sacred and secular stages. She was remembered as the pride of The Aretha Franklin Orchestra opened the funeral with a medley featuring I Say A Little Prayer, Angel and other songs she was known for, along with such gospel numbers as I Love The Lord and Walk In The Light.

Gladys Knight segued from You’ll Never Walk Alone to Bridge Over Troubled Water. Near the end, Stevie Wonder brought the dwindling audience to their feet, swaying to his classic tribute to love, As. Jennifer Holliday ended the funeral with Climbing Higher Mountains, an uptempo gospel original by Franklin herself.