Paul McCartney, Diana Ross, Barack Obama and Others Pay Tribute to Aretha Franklin

By Josh Jackson  |  August 16, 2018 | 1:14pm
Photo by the Hutton Archive/Getty
Music Features Aretha Franklin
Paul McCartney, Diana Ross, Barack Obama and Others Pay Tribute to Aretha Franklin

The music world has had a few days to brace for the loss of arguably the greatest singer of all time, Aretha Franklin. She died in her Detroit home this morning after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Musicians of all stripes took to Twitter to pay tribute to the Queen of Soul:

The legendary soul singer was also a presence in Washington D.C. throughout her career, from her Presidential Medal of Freedom and National Medal of Humanities awards to her performances at President Barack Obama’s inauguration and the dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. Politicians have joined in those paying tribute to her life this morning.

Barack and Michelle Obama’s joint statement read:

“America has no royalty. But we do have a chance to earn something more enduring. Born in Memphis and raised in Detroit, Aretha Franklin grew up performing gospel songs in her father’s congregation. For more than six decades since, every time she sang, we were all graced with a glimpse of the divine. 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.

Aretha may have passed on to a better place, but the gift of her music remains to inspire us all. May the Queen of Soul rest in eternal peace. Michelle and I send our prayers and warmest sympathies to her family and all those moved by her song.”

Rep. John Lewis said in a statement:

“We have lost one of the great artists of our time. Aretha Franklin was so talented. She was one of God’s precious gifts to the world—one of God’s shining jewels. She is deeply loved by hundreds, thousands, and millions of people as the Queen of Soul. Her skill as a composer, arranger, pianist, and vocalist made her an icon, and her interpretations of gospel and soul music came to define a new category of artistry called rhythm and blues. Her voice is still a guiding light to vocalists today who hope to breathe the same kind of vibrant truth into lyrics and melody that Aretha brought to her music.

What made her talent so great was her capacity to live what she sang. Her music was deepened by her connection to the struggles and the triumphs of the African American experience growing up in her father’s church, the community of Detroit, and her awareness of the turmoil of the South. She had a lifelong, unwavering commitment to civil rights and was one of the strongest supporters of the movement. She was our sister and our friend. Whenever I would see her, from time to time, she would always inquire about the well-being of people she met and worked with during the sixties.

When she sang, she embodied what we were fighting for, and her music strengthened us. It revived us. When we would be released from jail after a non-violent protest, we might go to a late night club and let the music of Aretha Franklin fill our hearts. She was like a muse whose songs whispered the strength to continue on. Her music gave us a greater sense of determination to never give up or give in, and to keep the faith.

She was a wonderful, talented human being. We mourn for Aretha Franklin. We have lost the Queen of Soul.”

Dr. Bernice King said in a statement:

“We have lost another legend from the civil rights era. From the time she was a teenager, Ms. Franklin has been singing freedom songs in support of my father and others in the struggle for civil rights. As a daughter of the movement, she not only used her voice to entertain but to uplift and inspire generations through songs that have become anthems such as “Respect” and “Bridge over Troubled Water.” After my father’s assassination, her relationship with my mother continued and grew stronger. She was one of the many artists that joined my mother in her unwavering efforts to establish the King Holiday. When my mother passed in 2006, she tried desperately to get to Atlanta for her service but was hindered by the winter weather in Detroit. As talented as she was as a singer and songwriter, Ms. Franklin’s legacy extends far beyond that of a dynamic singer and entertainer. She was a shining example of how to utilize the arts and entertainment to support and promote nonviolent social change. On behalf of The King Center family, I extend my deepest sympathy to the Franklin family. Ms. Franklin was a good and faithful servant and she will be sorely missed.”

The president, who made a cryptic comment about Aretha Franklin having worked for him via a spokesman, paid tribute to the singer on Twitter:

As did former and possible future presidential candidates:

You can read Paste’s tribute from writer Geoffrey Himes here.

 
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