Refresh for updates From Carole King, Paul McCartney, Diana Ross, Bette Midler to Clive Davis, LaChanze and Donald Trump, reactions and praise began almost immediately following the death of Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin. King sent her love, respect and gratitude, and Shonda Rhimes tweeted a simple “Aretha.”
The legendary artist died today after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. We’ll be updating throughout the day.
Today we have lost one of the greatest. She will always be remembered and admired. Aretha Franklin, rest in peace. We love you.
— Ricky Martin (@ricky_martin) August 16, 2018
The @AmericanIdol fam had the great privilege of working with the iconic Aretha Franklin for a special ep in Detroit. The world will miss her as she’s left an indelible mark on our culture. Her artistry & music will move & inspire us forever. Rest in peace to the Queen of Soul. pic.twitter.com/3LaOL6wvkn
— Ryan Seacrest (@RyanSeacrest) August 16, 2018
A lot of music left the earth today. The Heavens rejoice. Rest in heavenly peace. #ArethaFranklin #ISayALittlePrayer pic.twitter.com/o5Etf8hi3o
— Rev Jesse Jackson Sr (@RevJJackson) August 16, 2018
We have lost one of the great artists of our time. Aretha Franklin was one of God’s precious gifts to the world—one of God’s shining jewels. She is deeply loved by millions of people as the Queen of Soul. Her voice is still a guiding light to vocalists today.
— John Lewis (@repjohnlewis) August 16, 2018
God bless Aretha Franklin the queen of soul and peace and love to her family 😎✌️🌟💖🎵🎶☮️
— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) August 16, 2018
There will never be another Aretha Franklin. We love you, Queen. 🙏🏻 RIP
— Sheryl Crow (@SherylCrow) August 16, 2018
Whether it was Gospel, Blues, Jazz, R&B, Pop,or Civil Rights, Aretha Franklin was the greatest gift and the voice of a generation. She could turn any song into a hymn. She will be greatly missed here on earth, but that band in heaven just got our Angel
Rest In Peace Aretha— Willie Nelson (@WillieNelson) August 16, 2018
The soul of music died today. The Queen gave more than she ever recieved. A true legend in her own time. Aretha Franklin we will forever love you! #respect #sswa
— Edward James Olmos (@edwardjolmos) August 16, 2018
Everyone loves @ArethaFranklin she is the powerhouse voice of my life. No one can touch her passion and soul. We have used “Rock Steady” as the track we hear b 4 we go on stage for years. Her greatness as singer/piano player inspire me to reach for the unattainable. RIP Aretha
— Peter Frampton (@peterframpton) August 16, 2018
We’ll miss you Queen. #ArethaQueenForever pic.twitter.com/hus3lw5pwG
— Oprah Winfrey (@Oprah) August 16, 2018
Rest Queen. Rest. pic.twitter.com/RW7Ln1dCd8
— Audra McDonald (@AudraEqualityMc) August 16, 2018
Rest In Peace QUEEN!!! Thank you for feeding our souls for so long!!! You will be missed never forgotten!!! Your music lives on in ALL OF US!!! 🙏🏾 #riparethafranklin 💋💋💋 https://t.co/jlI8qrAIj9
— Taraji P. Henson (@TherealTaraji) August 16, 2018
Rest in peace Aretha. ❤ pic.twitter.com/QT7HeY5SIf
— Patti LaBelle (@MsPattiPatti) August 16, 2018
Been listening to this for the past couple of days. What an amazing illustration of the spirit that is @ArethaFranklin
Listen to this, look up to the stars and know she is with the Master now.https://t.co/tjxCIzmciX— Pharrell Williams (@Pharrell) August 16, 2018
Your music will live on forever. Rest in power, @ArethaFranklin. 🙏🏾 #QueenofSoul #Icon
— Chadwick Boseman (@chadwickboseman) August 16, 2018
Aretha helped define the American experience. In her voice, we could feel our history, all of it and in every shade—our power and our pain, our darkness and our light, our quest for redemption and our hard-won respect. May the Queen of Soul rest in eternal peace. pic.twitter.com/bfASqKlLc5
— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 16, 2018
Watching Aretha Franklin perform at the White House, and on so many other occasions, made time stand still. @BarackObama and I are holding Aretha’s family in our hearts right now. She will forever be our Queen of Soul. pic.twitter.com/NhHsbKijpl
— Michelle Obama (@MichelleObama) August 16, 2018
Her Royal Highness, the Queen of Soul, has passed. What Aretha Franklin left us lives on. Her music & her royal presence. A civil rights & women’s rights activist, she’s an international treasure w/ a powerhouse voice overflowing w/ HEART like no other. We love you, Aretha!! pic.twitter.com/DVkFyPVLN9
— Paula Abdul (@PaulaAbdul) August 16, 2018
And then magic came out… her voice and spirit were from God and that I know. R.I.PEACEFULNESS #arethafranklin 🙏🏾 https://t.co/k7Ogevrev1
— kenya barris (@funnyblackdude) August 16, 2018
I have loved Aretha Franklin’s music my entire life, and her music has played in our audience for 15 years. My heart goes out to her family. #RESPECT #QueenofSoul
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) August 16, 2018
I treasured every moment that we spent together from working in the recording studio, to performing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, or simply hangin’ in the kitchen, & I will miss her dearly. RIP Ree-Ree…You will reign as the Queen forever. pic.twitter.com/Gyr3q13n8P
— Quincy Jones (@QuincyDJones) August 16, 2018
I'm saddened to learn that Aretha Franklin has passed.The most soulful and inspirational singer of our time. / Je suis attristée d'apprendre le décès d’Aretha Franklin. La chanteuse la plus inspirante de notre époque. – Céline xx…
📸 : Kevin Mazur https://t.co/3Tz7G2W205 pic.twitter.com/Q5DtmJ1IVa— Celine Dion (@celinedion) August 16, 2018
Aretha Franklin is the reason why I sing from that part deep inside of me that few could ever reach. She was my favorite and will always be. What a gift she has left all of us with her musical footprints. There will never be another like her. She was truly special. #QueenOfSoul
— Kelly Clarkson (@kelly_clarkson) August 16, 2018
Goodbye @ArethaFranklin thank you for all the inspiration, and thank you for singing my song #nevergonnabreakmyfaith #RipArethaFranklin
— Bryan Adams (@bryanadams) August 16, 2018
Today, is my Mom's birthday. Most of my life its been attached to the day Elvis died. Now it will be the day Queen Aretha died. Interesting how that makes my heart smile. Happy Worthday Mom! Rest in Power Queen! 💜
— Regina King (@ReginaKing) August 16, 2018
Her voice; her presence; her style
No one did it better
Truly the Queen of Soul
I will miss you!@ArethaFranklin #QueenOfSoul pic.twitter.com/Gw5XEhsxjH— Lionel Richie (@LionelRichie) August 16, 2018
The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, is dead. She was a great woman, with a wonderful gift from God, her voice. She will be missed!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) 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
I didn’t grow up in church singing. I’d listen to Aretha Franklin trying to get those gospel chops that so many assume all black singers have. But Aretha’s voice was singular. It touched our souls, marveling us to just shake our heads saying “mm, mm, mm.” Thank you Queen. 🙏🏾
— LaChanze (@laChanze) August 16, 2018
Deeply sad this morning. Aretha Franklin has left us and her blessed family. She Lifted up the best angels of our nature. May her legacy of truth, love, hope, and joy live on in all of us.
— Goldie Hawn (@goldiehawn) August 16, 2018
Aretha Franklin with Dr. John who played on her recordings of "Young, Gifted and Black” and “Spanish Harlem.” Rest in Peace Aretha. pic.twitter.com/sPrvzgS3Ha
— Dr. John (@akadrjohn) August 16, 2018
Sam Moore, of Sam and Dave: “Aretha Franklin and I have been friends and label mates for more than sixty years. I adored her and I know the feelings were mutual. While I’m heartbroken that she’s gone I know she’s in the Lord’s arms and she’s not in pain or suffering anymore from the damn cancer that took her away from us. I’m going to hope, pray and count on the fact that I will see her again sometime. Rest in the Lord’s arms in love, Re.”
The ever-reigning Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin is an iconic symbol of black pride whose music touched so many hearts and souls. As the 2008 recipient of the NAACP Vanguard Award, we know Aretha's legacy will live on and we send our love our prayers. Rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/s2CHcqbO3G
— NAACP (@NAACP) August 16, 2018
Aretha was such a timeless inspiration to me and so many others, the ultimate queen, thank you for the gift of your voice, music and unshakeable soul 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/me3FXBY4WZ
— Christina Aguilera (@xtina) August 16, 2018
I’m absolutely devastated by Aretha’s passing. She was truly one of a kind. She was more than the Queen of Soul. She was a national treasure to be cherished by every generation throughout the world. (1/2)
— Clive Davis (@CliveDavis) August 16, 2018
Apart from our long professional relationship, Aretha was my friend. Her loss is deeply profound and my heart is full of sadness. (2/2)
— Clive Davis (@CliveDavis) August 16, 2018
The greatest voice in American popular music has been stilled. Our beloved #ArethaFranklin has gone. For me, she was a musical lighthouse, guiding and inspiring with every note. I loved her so and love her still. Goodbye, Queen of Soul.
— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) August 16, 2018
Rest in Power, Aretha! R-E-S-P-E-C-Thttps://t.co/OcnkkUQLb6#ArethaFranklin #RESPECT #RipArethaFranklin #RIP pic.twitter.com/o2j9eD6QVB
— Pee-wee Herman (@peeweeherman) August 16, 2018
Goodbye Ms. Aretha. You were my idol. The greatest singer of all time. Every note you sang was pure and authentic and pierced our hearts with joy and pain and life.
— Idina Menzel (@idinamenzel) August 16, 2018
In Moonlight, there’s only one song that plays twice, in two different time periods — ETERNAL ♥️ pic.twitter.com/XX2ZHHssbt
— Barry Jenkins (@BarryJenkins) 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
The moment I wake up, before I put on my make up, I say a little prayer for you
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) August 16, 2018
Aretha Franklin, the ‘Queen of Soul,’ Dies at 76 via @NYTimes #RIPQueen 🕉 https://t.co/ZrzTrELug8
— Sterling K Brown (@SterlingKBrown) 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
Lucky enough to have seen Aretha live exactly once, and this was it.
Thank you for the music, we will be listening to you forever https://t.co/aMHIBFaTAs— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) August 16, 2018
The world won’t be the same without you in it.
You will always have our utmost respect. #RipArethaFranklin pic.twitter.com/0DMI3PZfjI— Lena Waithe (@LenaWaithe) August 16, 2018
Salute to the Queen. The greatest vocalist I've ever known. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 #Aretha
— John Legend (@johnlegend) August 16, 2018
Let’s all take a moment to give thanks for the beautiful life of Aretha Franklin, the Queen of our souls, who inspired us all for many many years. She will be missed but the memory of her greatness as a musician and a fine human being will live with us forever. Love Paul pic.twitter.com/jW4Gpwfdts
— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) August 16, 2018
I’m sitting in prayer for the wonderful golden spirit Aretha Franklin.
— Ms. Ross (@DianaRoss) August 16, 2018
Rest in peace @ArethaFranklin. An amazing talent with one of the most moving voices of all time. Your music will live on forever. pic.twitter.com/rJzg5rwWzp
— Billy Ray Cyrus (@billyraycyrus) August 16, 2018
Mourning the loss today of @ArethaFranklin who shared her spirit and talent with the world. She deserves not only our RESPECT but also our lasting gratitude for opening our eyes, ears and hearts. Rest in eternal peace, my friend.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) August 16, 2018
Her wish was always for others to have peace and love. The only Queen. #ArethaFranklin I will keep the promise. pic.twitter.com/ADFYkQZClk
— Tamron Hall (@tamronhall) August 16, 2018
Aretha.
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) August 16, 2018
What a life. What a legacy!
So much love, respect and gratitude.
R.I.P. @ArethaFranklin https://t.co/400K1U5IHI— Carole King (@Carole_King) August 16, 2018
Prayers up for the family and friends of #ArethaFranklin. RIP Queen. 'Queen of Soul' Aretha Franklin has died https://t.co/1blBR3ZfAZ #GOAT #legend
— Tito Jackson (@titojackson) August 16, 2018
RIP… The Queen if Soul… #arethafranklin Thanks for paving the way….❤️ @ Motown Sound https://t.co/GtbDea3vfC
— towanda braxton (@towandabraxton) August 16, 2018
Thank you Aretha. Aretha Franklin Sings "America, The Beautiful" for Eric Holder's Farewell https://t.co/xUFD3MYN3m via @YouTube
— Eric Holder (@EricHolder) August 16, 2018
RIP @ArethaFranklin . What a colossal loss. Thanks for the joy and inspiration you gave to the world. #TheQueenofSoul #genius
— Tony Goldwyn (@tonygoldwyn) August 16, 2018
RIP #ArethaFranklin – you changed music forever and will be remembered as one of the all time greats. The world has less soul today than it has for the last 76 years
— Josh Gad (@joshgad) August 16, 2018
Rest In Peace, Queen pic.twitter.com/57rZh8vHza
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) August 16, 2018
The Queen of Soul has left this earth to sit on her throne in heaven. How blessed we were to hear the best that God had to offer in her voice. RESPECT!
📷: Mark Seliger pic.twitter.com/v9OxtyrZ74— Lenny Kravitz (@LennyKravitz) August 16, 2018
