By JOHN DALY
Aretha Franklin, known as The Queen of Soul, has passed away at 76 years old, surrounded by friends and family in Detroit, it was reported Thursday, Aug. 16.
Franklin was diagnosed with cancer in 2010 and has been fighting the illness while carrying on her career. She announced her retirement last year.
The news of Franklin’s initial declining condition was broken by Roger Friedman’s Showbiz 411 last week.
Franklin’s hits include “Chain of Fools,” “Respect,” “You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman,” “Think,” and “I Say a Little Prayer for You.”
Born in Memphis, Franklin grew up in Detroit and has lived in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, since the 1980s.
Franklin has 18 Grammy Awards, a Lifetime Achievement Award and Grammy Legend Award. She has sold more than 75 million records.
Her last performance was Nov. 2, 2017 for the Elton John AIDS Foundation in New York.
In 2016 she released “Divas,” which included tracks produced by Stevie Wonder. “The Atlantic Singles Collection 1967-1970,” a 34-song album will be released in September.