The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
‘Queen of soul’ Aretha Franklin dies aged 76
Music icon had been battling cancer
Aretha Franklin, the “queen of soul”, has died aged 76.
The singer, whose career spanned seven decades, died at her home in Detroit, Michigan, at 9.50am yesterday, her publicist said.
A statement from Franklin’s family, via the singer’s long-time publicist Gwendolyn Quinn, said that she died “surrounded by family and loved ones”.
The statement continued: “Franklin’s official cause of death was due to advance pancreatic cancer of the neuroendocrine type, which was confirmed by Franklin’s oncologist, Dr Philip Phillips of Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, MI.
“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.
“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.”
Quinn added that “funeral arrangements will be announced in the coming days”.
The icon, known for her hits such as Respect, Think and (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, died several days after she was reported to be seriously ill. In recent days, the ailing star had been visited by Stevie Wonder, the Rev Jesse Jackson and her ex-husband, actor Glynn Turman.
Heartfelt tributes came from both the entertainment and political worlds.
Former US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle said “we were all graced with a glimpse of the divine” every time Franklin sang.
“Through her compositions and unmatched musicianship, Aretha helped define the American experience,” they said in a joint statement. In her voice, we could feel our history, all of it and in every shadeour power and our pain, our darkness and our light, our quest for redemption and our hard-won respect.
“She helped us feel more connected to each other, more hopeful, more human. And sometimes she helped us just forget about everything else and dance.”
They went on: “Aretha may have passed on to a better place, but the gift of her music remains to inspire us all.
“May the Queen of Soul rest in eternal peace.”
Sir Elton John was among the first of Franklin’s peers to pay tribute. He called her death a “blow for everybody who loves real music: Music from the heart, the soul and the Church”.