Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, has died.
The singer-songwriter fell ill earlier this week, and died on 16 August as a result of pancreatic cancer.
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She was 76.
Born in 1942 in Memphis, USA, Aretha Franklin’s career spanned seven decades, and included hits like “Respect”, “Natural Woman” and “I Say A Little Prayer”.
Selling some 75-million records, there’s no doubt that she had a massive impact on the music industry.
Celebrities took to Twitter on Thursday night to mourn her death, celebrate her life, and thank her for her contribution to society.
Former US President Barack Obama led the sentiment.
“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,” he tweeted.
“May the Queen of Soul rest in eternal peace.”
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
Others followed, including Mr. T.
Queen Of Soul! May you Rest In Peace.
#ArethaFranklin #QueenOfSoul #RipArethaFranklin #Aretha — Mr. T (@MrT) August 16, 2018
“Bless the heavens with that voice like you’ve blessed us all on this earth,” was Bruno Mars’ message.
Bless the heavens with that voice like you’ve blessed us all on this earth. RIP Queen Of Soul.
https://t.co/SXYijeIMIL — Bruno Mars (@BrunoMars) August 16, 2018
“The world lost an incredibly talented woman today,” penned Britney Spears.
The world lost an incredibly talented woman today. Rest In Peace, @ArethaFranklin… your legacy and music will forever inspire us and future generations
pic.twitter.com/me6FiFo1lM — Britney Spears (@britneyspears) August 16, 2018
“Forever an inspiration,” wrote Jason Derulo.
Forever an inspiration. Rest In Love #Queen #ArethaFranklin
— Jason Derulo (@jasonderulo) August 17, 2018
“In my humble opinion the greatest female soul singer of our time has passed away,” Marcia Hines added.
“There will never ever be another you.”
In my humble opinion the greatest female soul singer of our time has passed away.
The one the only #ArethaFranklin…. There will never ever be another you. My heartfelt condolences go out to her family, friends and fans. May you now Rest In Peace. You will be sorely missed. pic.twitter.com/h8XihThffv— Marcia Hines (@TheMarciaHines) August 16, 2018
“Saddened to hear of the passing of an icon,” wrote Chris Tucker.
Saddened to hear of the passing of an icon…Rest in Peace Queen #arethafranklin #Queenofsoul
— Chris Tucker (@christuckerreal) August 17, 2018
“‘America the Beautiful’ has never been more beautiful,” tweeted WWE chairman Vince McMahon.
“America the Beautiful“ has never been more beautiful. #ArethaFranklin pic.twitter.com/6omy0lf9oG
— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) August 17, 2018
“Salute to the Queen. The greatest vocalist I’ve ever known,” wrote John Legend.
“Great artists never die. Music is immortal.”
Salute to the Queen. The greatest vocalist I’ve ever known.
#Aretha — John Legend (@johnlegend) August 16, 2018
Great artists never die. Music is immortal
— John Legend (@johnlegend) August 16, 2018
“What beautiful music and vocal artistry you gave to the world. You are a legend and your soul will never be forgotten,” wrote Lady Gaga.
What beautiful music and vocal artistry you gave to the world. You are a legend and your soul will never be forgotten. Rest in peace angel of music. #ArethaFranklin pic.twitter.com/ab8fmIhp4o
— Lady Gaga (@ladygaga) August 16, 2018
“Thank you, Ms. Franklin for blessing us with your incomparable gift. Honored to have shared the stage with you even for a moment. Always bowing down to you,” wrote Justin Timberlake.
This is the face of a young man who couldn’t believe he was actually singing with the GREATEST OF ALL TIME. Thank you, Ms. Franklin for blessing us with your incomparable gift. Honored to have shared the stage with you even for a moment. Always bowing down to you. #QueenofSoul pic.twitter.com/4bZVAWcqeS
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) August 16, 2018
“I have loved Aretha Franklin’s music my entire life, and her music has played in our audience for 15 years. My heart goes out to her family,” tweeted Ellen DeGeneres.
I have loved Aretha Franklin’s music my entire life, and her music has played in our audience for 15 years. My heart goes out to her family. #RESPECT #QueenofSoul
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) August 16, 2018
“RIP Aretha,” was Pink’s message.
RIP Aretha
— P!nk (@Pink) August 16, 2018
“One of my GREATEST inspirations! The songs she gave us made us stronger and prouder. She empowered us!!” tweeted Alicia Keys.
One of my GREATEST inspirations! The songs she gave us made us stronger and prouder. She empowered us!! We get to be inspired by her forever and now I’m going to write more songs in her honor
Thank you to the Queen, there are really no words! We love you forever!! pic.twitter.com/kHBoJQQf85 — Alicia Keys (@aliciakeys) August 16, 2018
“We’ll miss you Queen,” tweeted Oprah.
We’ll miss you Queen. #ArethaQueenForever pic.twitter.com/hus3lw5pwG
— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) August 16, 2018
Feature image: joe ortuzar via Flickr (CC BY 2.0)
