Aretha Franklin: Music stars, presidents, fans mourn death of Queen of Soul

Music legends and US presidents pay tribute to the “greatest soul artist of all time”.

Fans, music legends and US presidents have paid tribute to the “greatest soul artist of all time”, Aretha Franklin, who died aged 76 from cancer.

The woman known for hits such as Respect, I Say a Little Prayer and (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, died late yesterday at her home in Detroit from pancreatic cancer after a long struggle with health problems.

Obituary: One of the most forceful voices in the history of American music has fallen silent.

The US Recording Academy, the body that presents the Grammy Awards, called the 18-time Grammy winner an “incomparable artist” and “one of the most profound voices in music.” Her powerful voice was “a glimpse of the divine,” Barack and Michelle Obama said of Franklin, who sang at Obama’s first presidential inauguration in 2009.

“Through her compositions and unmatched musicianship, Aretha helped define the American experience. In her voice, we could feel our history, all of it and in every shade-our 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,” the Obamas said in a statement.

Aretha helped define the American experience. In her voice, we could feel our history, all of it and in every shade—our power and our pain, our darkness and our light, our quest for redemption and our hard-won respect. May the Queen of Soul rest in eternal peace. pic.twitter.com/bfASqKlLc5

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 16, 2018

Of Franklin, Jesse Jackson said “the most consistent voice in music for 60 years has been Aretha Franklin’s voice... The world of music has lost a bit of its soul”.

Fans paid their respects by laying flowers at her Hollywood Walk of Fame star in Los Angeles and remembering her on social media, where fellow musicians also saluted her.

“What a life. What a legacy! So much love, respect and gratitude,” wrote Carole King, who co-wrote (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.

What a life. What a legacy!
So much love, respect and gratitude.
R.I.P. @ArethaFranklin https://t.co/400K1U5IHI

— Carole King (@Carole_King) August 16, 2018

The Beatles’ Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr also celebrated the singer’s legacy. “She will be missed but the memory of her greatness as a musician and a fine human being will live with us forever,” McCartney tweeted.

Let’s all take a moment to give thanks for the beautiful life of Aretha Franklin, the Queen of our souls, who inspired us all for many many years. She will be missed but the memory of her greatness as a musician and a fine human being will live with us forever. Love Paul pic.twitter.com/jW4Gpwfdts

— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) August 16, 2018

Elton John hailed her as the “greatest soul artist of all time.” “The loss of Aretha Franklin is a blow for everybody who loves real music: Music from the heart, the soul and the church,” he said in a statement.

The loss of @ArethaFranklin is a blow for everybody who loves real music: Music from the heart, the soul and the Church. Her voice was unique, her piano playing underrated – she was one of my favourite pianists. pic.twitter.com/ug5oZYywAz

— Elton John (@eltonofficial) August 16, 2018

Singer Mariah Carey said: “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.”

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. pic.twitter.com/QD9pxvGLLh

— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) August 16, 2018

“It’s difficult to conceive of a world without her. Not only was she a uniquely brilliant singer, but her commitment to civil rights made an indelible impact on the world.,’’ wrote Barbra Streisand, via Twitter.

This photo was taken in 2012 when Aretha & I performed at a tribute celebration for our friend Marvin Hamlisch. It’s difficult to conceive of a world without her. Not only was she a uniquely brilliant singer,but her commitment to civil rights made an indelible impact on the world pic.twitter.com/Px9zVB90MM

— Barbra Streisand (@BarbraStreisand) August 16, 2018

“Aretha was a rare treasure whose unmatched musical genius helped craft the soundtrack to the lives of so many,” Patti LaBelle, her fellow soul superstar, said.

Signer Diana Ross said: “I’m sitting in prayer for the wonderful golden spirit Aretha Franklin”.

British singer Adele wrote: “I can’t remember a day of my life without Aretha Franklin’s voice and music filling up my heart with so much joy and sadness. Absolutely heartbroken she’s gone, what a woman. Thank you for everything, the melodies and the movements,” she wrote on Instagram.

“It seems very strange to wake up and hear that she passed today even though she lived such a long and fulfilled life. It’s no secret that she’s an icon. She is an icon of all icons... I don’t know anyone she hasn’t inspired,” Nicki Minaj said on Apple Music.

US President Donald Trump tweeted that Franklin was “a great woman” whose voice was “a wonderful gift from God.”

The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, is dead. She was a great woman, with a wonderful gift from God, her voice. She will be missed!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 16, 2018

“For more than 50 years, she stirred our souls,” said former US president Bill Clinton in a joint statement with his wife, Hillary, the former secretary of state. “She was elegant, graceful, and utterly uncompromising in her artistry.”

Mourning the loss today of @ArethaFranklin who shared her spirit and talent with the world. She deserves not only our RESPECT but also our lasting gratitude for opening our eyes, ears and hearts. Rest in eternal peace, my friend.

— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 16, 2018

The soul legend’s music quickly climbed the iTunes’ charts following her death. Her 30 Greatest Hits album hit the No. 1 spot, replacing Nicki Minaj’s new album, while Respect reached No. 2 on the songs’ charts.

More songs from Franklin, including (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, Think, Chain of Fools and I Say A Little Prayer, were in the Top 40.

The singer was visited by US icons including Stevie Wonder and civil rights activist Jesse Jackson in the last days of her life.

Reuters