‘Queen of Soul’ Seriously Ill

Aretha Franklin signs during the inauguration ceremony for President-elect Barack Obama in Washington, January 20, 2009. REUTERS/Jason Reed (UNITED STATES) / SCANPIX

The American singer Aretha Franklin is reported seriously ill and surrounded by loved ones at a bedside-watch. The sad news was released Monday by those closest to the family.

 

Franklin’s spokesperson asked for people to pray for Aretha, and requested that family privacy be respected at this dark hour.

18 GRAMMY AWARDS
The 76 year artist’s career extends decades. She’s known for songs such as “Respect” (1967), “Think” (1968) and “I Say a Little Prayer” (1968) and is proud holder of a total of 18 Grammy’s.

In 2017, the soul-star announced that that she would take retreat and only perform special occasions.

MUSIC LEGEND
Franklin’s last public appearance was 2017 in Philadelphia. Earlier this year,she canceled her scheduled events after being told by doctors to rest.

Franklin, 76, was born in Memphis, Tenn. in 1942, the daughter of famous pastor and activist C. L. Franklin. When Aretha was just 2 years, her family left Memphis for the New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, where her singing in the church eventually lead to the birth of a Motor City legend.

Franklin has the third-most Grammy Awards for any female artist in history.

 

© NTB scanpix / #Norway Today