Note: This post has been moved from Latest Picks due to length of extended updates.
Aretha Franklin, ‘the queen of soul’, dies aged 76 (theguardian.com).
Known as “the queen of soul”, Franklin sold more than 75m records in her lifetime and won 18 Grammy awards. She had 77 entries in the US Billboard Hot 100 and 20 No 1 singles on the R&B chart.
Her musical influence immeasurable and the list of those paying their respects equally extensive.
Barbara Streisand and Carole King lead tributes to late Aretha Franklin: ‘We lost a giant’ (metro.co.uk).
‘What a life. What a legacy! So much love, respect and gratitude,’ shared songwriter Carole King who co-wrote one of Franklin’s most famous song, Natural Woman.
#RIPArethaFranklin (Instagram).
Updated 28th August 2018
Aretha Franklin laid to rest in gold coffin as fans line road to pay final respects (mirror.co.uk).
Her body is now lying in repose at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, in Detroit, Michigan, for the next two days.
With the funeral on Friday.
Updated 29th August 2018
Ariana Grande to perform at Aretha Franklin’s funeral: She ‘was fond of’ the pop star (people.com).
[Franklin family spokeswoman Gwendolyn Quinn] told the Free Press of Grande, “Aretha was fond of her.” She noted that Franklin’s family appreciated Grande’s tribute to Franklin, who died of pancreatic cancer at age 76, on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon earlier this month.
For clarities sake the titles emphasis indicate “Free Press” being the Detroit Free Press and not what would be a somewhat pretentious entry into journalism himself with the “Free Press of Grande” which would still be undoubtedly marvelous and much longed for by Arianators. Ariana joins the list prodigious of performers includes Stevie Wonder, Faith Hill, Shirley Caesar, Chaka Khan, Jennifer Hudson, Yolanda Adams, Marvin Sapp and Vanessa Bell Armstrong.
And showing she was queen of style as well as soul:
Linda Swanson, executive vice president of Swanson Funeral Home, which is coordinating Franklin’s viewings and other services, said the Franklin family authorized her to reveal that the singing legend’s wardrobe will be swapped out in the days leading to her burial.
Being “Just natural changes in wardrobe that a queen would make.”
Updated 31st August 2018
A headline seemingly contradictory to the articles first bulleted standfirst noting that “Detroit Bishop Charles Ellis insisted her funeral will be a service rather than show”.
As guests walked into the church, and thousands waited out the front to find out if they would be among the lucky 1,000 members of the public permitted entry, the Aretha Franklin Orchestra sang.
Updated 1st September 2018
But forcing said Detroit Bishop Charles Ellis to appositive for any service he himself may have or not giving:
Bishop apologises to Ariana Grande for conduct at Aretha Franklin’s funeral (theguardian.com).
Bishop Charles H Ellis III led Franklin’s funeral and awkwardly greeted Grande on stage after she performed (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman. Images of the moment showed Ellis’s hand holding Grande well above her waist, with his fingers pressing against one side of her chest.
Indeed, the most of delectable human cupcakes does look a lil’ discomfited there with that hands-on hallelujah and with much #RespectAriana ruckus raised to bash the Bishop.
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