Post by FreakyFlyBry on Aug 16, 2018 9:26:16 GMT -5
www.billboard.com/articles/news/obituary/7318784/aretha-franklin-dead
Aretha Franklin, Legendary 'Queen of Soul,' Dies at Age 76
8/16/2018 by Gail Mitchell
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Aretha Franklin, whose legendary voice inaugurated her enduring reign as the Queen of Soul, died at 76, Franklin's longtime publicist Gwendolyn Quinn confirms in a statement. The icon had been battling pancreatic cancer.
"It is with deep and profound sadness that we announce the passing of Aretha Louise Franklin, the Queen of Soul," the statement reads. "Franklin, 76 years old, passed away on Thursday morning, August 16 at 9:50 a.m. at her home in Detroit, MI, surrounded by family and loved ones. 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," the statement continues. “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.”
Funeral arrangements for Franklin will be announced in the coming days.
During a career spanning six decades, Franklin’s soaring, gospel-nurtured mezzo-soprano became the benchmark by which soulful singing is still measured. Equally at home singing jazz, blues and classical, the versatile 18-time Grammy Award winner influenced a host of next-generation artists ranging from Mary J. Blige and Lauryn Hill to Beyoncé, Fantasia and Kelly Clarkson.
Known for her career-defining covers of Otis Redding’s “Respect” and Carole King and Gerry Goffin’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” -- Franklin was also a talented songwriter and musician. Her songwriting catalog includes such classics as “Think,” “Daydreaming,” “Ain’t No Way,” “Dr. Feelgood” and “Rock Steady.” And as a musician accompanying herself at the piano, Franklin helped shape such timeless tracks as the aforementioned “Respect,” “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)” and “Chain of Fools.”
As Elton John noted to Billboard in 2003, “She is the greatest soul singer ever -- and one of the most underrated pianists.” Added former label boss Clive Davis in a 2015 interview, “Aretha belongs to all-time hits that still resonate.”
Aretha Franklin, Legendary 'Queen of Soul,' Dies at Age 76
8/16/2018 by Gail Mitchell
EMAIL ME
YOUTUBE
Aretha Franklin, whose legendary voice inaugurated her enduring reign as the Queen of Soul, died at 76, Franklin's longtime publicist Gwendolyn Quinn confirms in a statement. The icon had been battling pancreatic cancer.
"It is with deep and profound sadness that we announce the passing of Aretha Louise Franklin, the Queen of Soul," the statement reads. "Franklin, 76 years old, passed away on Thursday morning, August 16 at 9:50 a.m. at her home in Detroit, MI, surrounded by family and loved ones. 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," the statement continues. “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.”
Funeral arrangements for Franklin will be announced in the coming days.
During a career spanning six decades, Franklin’s soaring, gospel-nurtured mezzo-soprano became the benchmark by which soulful singing is still measured. Equally at home singing jazz, blues and classical, the versatile 18-time Grammy Award winner influenced a host of next-generation artists ranging from Mary J. Blige and Lauryn Hill to Beyoncé, Fantasia and Kelly Clarkson.
Known for her career-defining covers of Otis Redding’s “Respect” and Carole King and Gerry Goffin’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” -- Franklin was also a talented songwriter and musician. Her songwriting catalog includes such classics as “Think,” “Daydreaming,” “Ain’t No Way,” “Dr. Feelgood” and “Rock Steady.” And as a musician accompanying herself at the piano, Franklin helped shape such timeless tracks as the aforementioned “Respect,” “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)” and “Chain of Fools.”
As Elton John noted to Billboard in 2003, “She is the greatest soul singer ever -- and one of the most underrated pianists.” Added former label boss Clive Davis in a 2015 interview, “Aretha belongs to all-time hits that still resonate.”