Paul McCartney, Diana Ross, Barack Obama and Others Pay Tribute to Aretha Franklin
Photo by the Hutton Archive/Getty Music Features Aretha FranklinThe 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:
I’m sitting in prayer for the wonderful golden spirit Aretha Franklin.
— Ms. Ross (@DianaRoss) August 16, 2018
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
This morning my longest friend in this world went home to be with our Father. I will miss her so much but I know she’s at peace. #QueenOfSoulpic.twitter.com/UatS3U3YXe
— Smokey Robinson (@smokey_robinson) August 16, 2018
Undoubtedly one of the greatest of ALL time, RIP #ArethaFranklinhttps://t.co/Pq9Yd9sBuZ
— Slash (@Slash) August 16, 2018
RIP Aretha Franklin! You paved the way and touched the souls of so many. There will never be another Aretha! Long live the #QueenOfSoul#RESPECThttps://t.co/XGAhsHqM91https://t.co/XGAhsHqM91
— Living Colour (@LivingColour) August 16, 2018
Lucky enough to have seen Aretha live exactly once, and this was it.
Thank you for the music, we will be listening to you forever https://t.co/aMHIBFaTAs— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) August 16, 2018
Very sad to hear the news about Aretha, she was so inspiring and wherever you were she always brought you to church. pic.twitter.com/GMCzQRkahc
— The Rolling Stones (@RollingStones) August 16, 2018
Rest In Peace to our Queen of Soul. Her contribution to music and to the empowerment and enrichment of our hearts, Spirits and souls is immeasurable.
Thank you Ms. Aretha Franklin for sharing your anointed gifts with us. They changed the world. We are deeply grateful!MLH
— Ms. Lauryn Hill (@MsLaurynHill) August 16, 2018
Today has always been a hard day for me, and now the “Queen Of Soul” Aretha Franklin has left us, this loss saddens my heart not only was she a fellow Memphian, but she was also my inspiration to sing pic.twitter.com/amLqmcGvri
— Lisa Marie Presley (@LisaPresley) August 16, 2018
From the time that Dinah Washington 1st told me that Aretha was the “next one” when she was 12-years old, until the present day, Aretha Franklin set the bar & she did it with the professionalism, class, grace, & humility that only a true Queen could… Hassan pic.twitter.com/IjT6I7NH1D
— Quincy Jones (@QuincyDJones) August 16, 2018
What a life. What a legacy!
So much love, respect and gratitude.
R.I.P. @ArethaFranklinhttps://t.co/400K1U5IHI— Carole King (@Carole_King) August 16, 2018
As the One and Only ‘Queen of Soul’ Aretha Franklin was simply peerless. She has reigned supreme. and will always be held in the highest firmament of stars as the most exceptional vocalist, performer and recording artist the world has ever been privilege… https://t.co/7DH7TIP3Nlpic.twitter.com/HfQh7kLM4o
— Annie Lennox (@AnnieLennox) August 16, 2018
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:
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
As did former and possible future presidential candidates:
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
Today, we remember and celebrate the life of one of the great entertainers in modern American history. Aretha, thank you for all that you have given us. You will not be forgotten. https://t.co/UslT0ntBjM
— Bernie Sanders (@SenSanders) August 16, 2018
Rest in power Aretha Franklin, your voice and spirit will elevate, inspire, nourish and nurture for all history to come. #QueenofSoulpic.twitter.com/OvQJpNQ07n
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) August 16, 2018
You can read Paste’s tribute from writer Geoffrey Himes here.