A year ago, Aretha Franklin passed away on August 16, at home in Detroit, at the age of 76, after having a long battle with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor. However, even today, the Queen of Soul remains relevant and very much alive, in her hometown and elsewhere.
Aretha Louise Franklin was an American singer, songwriter, pianist, and civil rights, activist. The singer has to her credit hits like “Respect,” “You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman.” Moreover, Franklin was awarded the National Medal of Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom and was the first female inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. With the news of her passing away, thousands of her fans visited her hometown in Detroit, where a three-day visitation was organized, and a nine-hour long funeral was held with celebrities and dignitaries. The memorial service was held at New Bethel Baptist Church on August 19, eulogized by Rev. Jasper Williams Jr. of Salem Baptist Church in Atlanta.
— Aretha Franklin (@ArethaFranklin)
"The first woman inducted into the @rockhall – Aretha Franklin was an artist of passion, sophistication and command, whose recordings remain anthems that defined soul music. Long live the Queen." – @rockhall
Listen to all her hits on @Spotify now: https://t.co/SDGU2XwfhW pic.twitter.com/HxxTfWRC4s
— Aretha Franklin (@ArethaFranklin) August 15, 2019
Since her demise a year back, Franklin and her music has been widely celebrated and acknowledged in various award shows and television shows. Aretha Franklin was the first women to get a rare citation by the Pulitzer Prize board for her contribution to American music and culture. There was a two-hour long Grammy tribute show which featured a performance by Celine Dion, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Hudson and more.
— Aretha Franklin (@ArethaFranklin)
Aretha Franklin: March 25, 1942 – August 16, 2018.
Celebrate her incredible life and career: https://t.co/89bau5u1gx #WeLoveYouAretha ❤️ pic.twitter.com/mvi9i6FVdO
— Aretha Franklin (@ArethaFranklin) August 16, 2019
The past year also saw the release of ‘Amazing Grace,’ the gospel film with footage from 1972, featuring a young Aretha. A part of Lodge Freeway was renamed after Franklin, as Aretha L. Franklin Memorial Highway. MGM studio announced an upcoming biopic on the singer starring Jennifer Hudson, with an August 2020 release planned. Chene Park was renamed as Aretha Franklin Amphitheatre. Music Hall’s downstairs club was dedicated to Franklin and Aretha’s Jazz Café. Franklin is also supposed to be the subject of Ron Howards’s ‘Genius.’
— Aretha Franklin (@ArethaFranklin)
As one of the most influential and important voices in the history of American music, Aretha held 13 honorary doctorate degrees from various universities including Harvard, Princeton, & Yale Universities.
Listen to the Best Of Aretha on @amazonmusic: https://t.co/lbZyjCeNtG pic.twitter.com/gOwPhvrgRx
— Aretha Franklin (@ArethaFranklin) August 13, 2019
The 18 times Grammy Award winner is still very much alive in the memories and will remain so for a long time through her songs and the media highlighting her career.