Aretha Franklin dead aged 76: Sir Elton John and Liam Gallagher lead celebrity tributes to Queen of Soul
Sir Elton John has led the tributes to Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin in the wake of her death, aged 76, hailing her the "greatest soul artist of all time".
The legendary musician passed away at her home in Detroit on Thursday morning, her publicist confirmed, after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer.
Sir Elton praised her "unique" voice as he described her death as a "blow to for everybody who loves real music".
He recalled the last time he witnessed her performing live at an event for his AIDS foundation last year, before tweeting: "The whole world will miss her but will always rejoice in her remarkable legacy. The Queen is dead. Long live the Queen. #RIPArethaFranklin. Elton xx."
I was fortunate enough to spend time with her and witness her last performance – a benefit for @ejaf at St John The Divine Cathedral. She was obviously unwell, and I wasn’t sure she could perform. But Aretha did and she raised the roof.
— Elton John (@eltonofficial) August 16, 2018
The whole world will miss her but will always rejoice in her remarkable legacy. The Queen is dead. Long live the Queen. #RIPArethaFranklin
Elton xx— Elton John (@eltonofficial) August 16, 2018
Liam Gallagher praised her voice while Sister Sledge thanked the late singer for setting an example to them.
In a Twitter statement Debbie Sledge tweeted: “We all mourn the passing of a QUEEN #arethafranklin that blessed the world and us personally for a shining example of grace, class, beauty and strength, and sheer talent. Debbie Sledge.”
Hollywood star Hugh Jackman recalled the time he sang alongside the musical icon at the Tony Awards, hailing her one of the “greatest singers of all time”.
RIP Aretha Franklin what a voice x
— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) August 16, 2018
One of the highlights of my career was singing with #ArethaFranklin at The Tony Awards. It was an out of body experience for me. One of greatest singers of all time. You will be missed by all. https://t.co/L8dIIhyR9Y
— Hugh Jackman (@RealHughJackman) August 16, 2018
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
“Looking out on the morning rain
I used to feel so uninspired
And when I knew
I had to face another day
Lord, it made me feel so tired
Before the day I met you
Life was so unkind
But you’re the key to
My peace of mind.”
Her voice/swagger was peerless.
Thank you, #ArethaFranklin pic.twitter.com/5gp0OP10Jf— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 16, 2018
Thank you #ArethaFranklin 💔we will miss you
— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) August 16, 2018
We all mourn the passing of a QUEEN #arethafranklin that blessed the world and us personally for a shining example of grace, class, beauty and strength, and sheer talent. Debbie Sledge pic.twitter.com/BIrbAhIka0
— Sister Sledge (@SisterSledge_) August 16, 2018
Franklin’s publicist Gwendolyn Quinn confirmed she died from pancreatic cancer days after it was reported she was receiving hospice care at home.
In a statement Quinn said: “Franklin’s official cause of death was due to advance pancreatic cancer of the neuroendocrine type, which was confirmed by Franklin’s oncologist, Dr. Philip Phillips of Karmanos Cancer Institute.”
Her family released a statement telling fans they are struggling to find “the appropriate words to express the pain” in the wake of the news.
“In one of the darkest moments of our lives, we are not able to find the appropriate words to express the pain in our heart,” they said. “We have lost the matriarch and rock of our family.”
Franklin was famed for hits including Respect, I Say A Little Prayer and (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman which reduced President Barack Obama to tears when she sang it at a concert in 2015.
It is understood that a tribute concert will honour the Queen of Soul this November, spearheaded by legendary music producer Clive Davis, at New York’s Madison Square Garden.