PEOPLE IN THE NEWS
An all-star lineup that includes Stevie Wonder, Faith Hill, Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia, Shirley Caesar and many more will perform at Aretha Franklin’s funeral next week.
The Queen of Soul’s service will be Aug. 31 in Detroit. Also to perform are Ron Isley, Chaka Khan, Yolanda Adams, Jennifer Holliday and Franklin’s son, Edward Franklin.
The list was provided to the Associated Press on Thursday by Franklin’s longtime publicist, Gwendolyn Quinn.
The service will reflect Franklin’s strong gospel roots. Among the gospel stars performing will be Marvin Sapp, the Clark Sisters and Vanessa Bell Armstrong. The Aretha Franklin Orchestra and the Aretha Franklin Celebration Choir are also on the program
John Lennon’s killer, Chapman, denied parole for 10th time
John Lennon’s killer has been denied parole for a 10th time and will remain behind bars for at least two more years.
Mark David Chapman appeared before New York’s parole board Wednesday. In a denial decision obtained by the Associated Press on Thursday, the board said it had determined Chapman’s release “would be incompatible with the welfare and safety of society and would so deprecate the serious nature of the crime as to undermine respect for the law.”
Chapman, 63, shot and killed the former Beatle outside Lennon’s Manhattan apartment Dec. 8, 1980. He is serving 20 years to life in the Wende Correctional Facility in western New York.