Globe mourns Queen of Soul
“The Queen is dead. Long live the Queen”
Detroit – The death of 76-yearold music icon Aretha Franklin prompted figures across the spectrum – from politics to pop – to pay homage to her tremendous influence on American culture.
Here are some top tributes to the Queen of Soul:
Patti LaBelle: “I am deeply
● saddened about the passing of the Queen of Soul and my sister in song, Aretha Franklin,” said the singer who also gained fame in the golden era of soul, disco and R&B.
“Today the world has experienced a tremendous loss. Aretha was a rare treasure whose unmatched musical genius helped craft the soundtrack to the lives of so many.”
Diana Ross: “I’m sitting in
● prayer for the wonderful golden spirit Aretha Franklin,” the acclaimed singer tweeted;
John Legend: “Salute to the
●
Queen. The greatest vocalist I’ve ever known,” the pop star tweeted.
Paul McCartney: “Let’s all
● take a moment to give thanks for the beautiful life of Aretha Franklin, the Queen of our souls, who inspired us all for many, many years. Love Paul,” the Beatles’ legend tweeted.
Elton John: “The whole
● world will miss her but will always rejoice in her remarkable legacy. The Queen is dead. Long live the Queen,” tweeted the pop superstar.
Jesse Jackson: “Earth has lost ● a lot of music today,” the civil rights leader said on local television. “She never stopped serving. She never stopped caring. She never stopped sharing. We thank her so much.”
National Association for the
●
Advancement of Colored People: “The ever-reigning Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin is an iconic symbol of black pride whose music touched so many hearts and souls,” tweeted the rights organisation.
Bill and Hillary Clinton:
●
“Hillary and I mourn the loss of our friend Aretha Franklin, one of America’s greatest national treasures,” said the former US president in a joint statement with his wife, the former secretary of state. “For more than 50 years, she stirred our souls. She was elegant, graceful and utterly uncompromising in her artistry.” –