Detroit Church Holds Vigil For Ailing ‘Queen of Soul’ Franklin

The Detroit church that music legend Aretha Franklin’s father once led held a prayer vigil on Wednesday for the gravely ill ‘Queen of Soul.’

Franklin received visits on Tuesday from fellow icon Stevie Wonder and civil rights leader Jesse Jackson amid an outpouring of well wishes, a spokeswoman said.

Dozens gathered at New Bethel Baptist Church for a 5:00 a.m. (0900 GMT) service dedicated to the 76-year-old who influenced generations as one of the reigning divas of American popular music for five decades.

Few details have emerged about the singer’s condition or illness but she is said to be in hospice care, surrounded by family and friends.

The vigil at New Bethel church for the creator of unforgettable hits such as “Respect,”  “Natural Woman” and “I Say a Little Prayer” included ministers from multiple Detroit-area churches.

The singer’s father CL Franklin was a preacher at New Bethel, where a young Aretha got her start singing gospel music.

The 18-time Grammy award winner maintained ties with the church throughout the years, including making financial contributions and hosting events.

“She gives to the needy, the homeless,” Franklin’s assistant Fannie Tyler told assembled news media while thanking the church for the vigil.

“She would have loved to have been here,” Tyler said.

Franklin influenced generations of singers from pop diva Mariah Carey and the late Whitney Houston, to Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Mary J. Blige and the late Amy Winehouse.

She was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and sang at the inaugurations of two presidents — Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

“Like people all around the world, Hillary and I are thinking about Aretha Franklin,” Clinton said Monday on Twitter.

Beyonce dedicated her Detroit concert Monday to Franklin, while Chaka Khan, the Queen of Funk and Franklin’s contemporary, said on Twitter: “I fall asleep tonight with a heavy heart and a prayer for my soul sister.

AFP