The passing of one of the greatest musical legends to ever grace the stage has shocked the world and brought a great sense of mourning to millions of people who have been deeply moved by her musical gift…
On August 16th, 2018, Aretha Franklin passed away at the age of 76 in Detroit after privately battling pancreatic cancer for some time. She had retired from performing in 2017.
We just lost an icon.
Rest In Eternal Peace to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin 🙏🏾🌹🙌🏾 pic.twitter.com/4zW3nYRjyO— MOBO Awards (@MOBOAwards) August 16, 2018
Reigning as the undisputed “Queen of Soul,” Franklin was a global icon and revered matriarch in the music industry. Over the course of her 62-year-long career, Franklin issued songs to the charts that became instant classics, cultural standards, and timeless works that even some of the youngest generations know by heart.
She was nominated for 44 Grammy Awards and won 18 of those nominations among a seemingly endless string of other awards throughout her brilliant career. Some of her biggest hits include“Respect,” “Natural Woman,” “I Say A Little Prayer,” and “Chain of Fools.”
As an incredible wave of mourning washes over her beloved city of Detroit, the family has finalized arrangements for her upcoming funeral and viewing – describing it as a four-day event to celebrate her life.
According to Click On Detroit, the celebration of life and funeral will begin on August 28th with a public viewing. Franklin’s body will lie in repose on the 28th and 29th at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m.
Aretha Franklin's funeral will take place on August 31 after a two-day public viewing at Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit. pic.twitter.com/CPdqdwumdH
— AJ+ (@ajplus) August 17, 2018
Following the public viewing at the museum, a private friends and family only funeral will be held at the Greater Grace Temple on August 31st.
Since the Queen of Soul’s passing, fans have been flocking to her beloved church, New Bethel Baptist Church, where she first got her start singing.
In honor of Franklin’s unprecedented musical legacy, organizers of her celebration of life and funeral are working on putting together a musical tribute with major recording artists and will announce a venue in the coming days.
Watch the news coverage below from Click On Detroit Channel 4.