On the 41st anniversary of the death of King of Rock N’ Roll Elvis Presley, August 16th claimed yet another musical monarch: Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin.
The 76-year-old music icon succumbed to pancreatic cancer today after a longstanding bout with the disease and the announcement has left her legion of fans, admirers, and the immeasurable league of musicians she’s influenced devastated in its wake.
Some of the latter took to social media to express their grief and gratitude to the R&B potentate. With top names like fellow legendary divas Chaka Khan, Patti Labelle, Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, Mariah Carey, and Celine Dion to today’s female R&B and soul leaders Fantasia, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, Brandy, Monica, Adele and more sending their condolences, see their words inside:
A BLACK QUEEN ? THE QUEEN OF SOUL AND THE TRUE VOCAL BIBLE PERIOD.
Here is what Mariah said in its entirety,
“Aretha Franklin. The Queen of Soul. The Icon. The ultimate singers’ singer. The greatest singer and musician of my lifetime. The power of your voice in music and in civil rights blew open the door for me and so many others. You were my inspiration, my mentor and my friend. You showed me I could sing the songs I wanted to sing and bring God with me. You’ve inspired millions everywhere yet never left home, never left church. Today the entire world mourns your home-going and celebrates all the brilliance you left behind. I will forever cherish the moments I spent in your presence. Your indelible impact was earned not only by your incomparable voice but by your bigger than life personality, wit and humor. I say a BIG prayer for you. You will forever have all our RESPECT. Love, Mariah ♥️”
LONG LIVE THE QUEEN! ARETHA, NO DOUBT!! Thank you, for sharing and caring not only for your Sisters & Brothers in Detroit; but throughout the Globe! RIP-Job well done
Jamie
She was RAW talent, down to the bone. That’s why I respect her so much. Aretha definitely was shady, and could be a mean woman at times. But overall, she was the real deal. I used to wonder why she got her ass kissed so much by the industry. One day, I sat down, put some good head phones on and listened to her 1972 Gospel live album, in full (the unedited version). Baaayybeee, it was like a spiritual roller-coaster. She had me shouting, screaming, crying and really thinking about my life in general. The way she would sang each syllable, stretched out every single word, and held on to those notes were incredible. That range, that power, that soul. Simply put, she was a musical genius. Aretha was more than just superficial high notes and technical BS. That lady sang from her soul, she knew how to tell the story and never sang a song the same way twice. You will definitely be missed, Aretha. And deserved every award, honor, tribute & ass-kissing the industry ever gave you. YOU were THAT talented… wait scratch that, you were GIFTED, period. RIP, you earned it.
Amen. Amen.
Mariah KNOWS music. Do you think she has always said Aretha is the best for nothing? She is not my personal fave but wow. She a true big icon forever. Her songs will live for way longer than beyonce´s for example. Compare discographies… and the voices!
I grew up listening to Aretha’s music. She was the undisputed Queen Of Soul. I loved Freeway Of Love,I Knew You Were Waiting For Me,Jump To It,Love All The Hurt Away,Chain Of Fools,Wonderful and even some of her newer stuff like When 2 Become 1 and U Can’t See Me. I will miss her
This is the kick up the a*** the industry needs – This is real music.
It’s not too late for Beyoncé straighten up her legacy but she needs a commercial label manager and team to get her back in the “All American Pop/Ballad” lane.
She could have had a legacy but she put it in the box to the left, put that box in the trash, then she went to the bottom of the trash can found some amateur street mixtape and released it as her own. Trash.
#Beyneedsamanager #Beytrash #trashbeatsbybey #legacyintheboxtotheleft
Beyoncé is working on her legendary status as we type!!✌??
Gap the scene
Beyonce??? LOL The cultural impact Aretha had Beyonce could never because we are living in a way more advanced time, to begin with. That would be more like Tina Turner, the real best female performer ever and true pioner in her lane. Beyonce has not got the voice nor the musical skills of Aretha. She has worked hard on making her voice as technically good as possible. But she´s not on that natural legendary lane. After Aretha we have had Witney and several others way better than Beyonce before Beyonce.
A vocalist whose unmatched!!??