The Queen of Soul, ARETHA FRANKLIN died today in Detroit. She was 76 and as reported (see recent news story) she had been ill for some time and was in hospital last week till she asked to return home.
In a statement, her family said: “In one of the darkest moments of our lives, we are not able to find the appropriate words to express the pain in our heart. We have lost the matriarch and rock of our family. The love she had for her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins knew no bounds.” It was confirmed that Aretha had died from advanced pancreatic cancer of the neuroendocrine type.
This is neither the time nor the place for a lengthy biographical obituary. Mere facts could never capture what she achieved or describe how her music affected and moved so many people. Best maybe right now to listen to those Aretha songs that have a special place in your life and emotions…. ‘I Say A Little Prayer’, ‘Until You Come Back To Me’, ‘Never Let Me Go’, ‘Call Me’ and the monumental ‘Ain’t No Way’ will always define, endear and keep the memory of Aretha Franklin alive for me.
The Queen is dead; there will never be another.
