"Through her compositions and unmatched musicianship, 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. She helped us feel more connected to each other, more hopeful, more human. And sometimes she helped us just forget about everything else and dance." — Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, in a statement.
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
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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
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"This morning my longest friend in this world went home to be with our father. I will miss her so much but I know she's at peace." — Smokey Robinson, in a statement.
Smokey Robinson greets Aretha Franklin at Aretha's 69th birthday party in New York, Friday, March 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Charles Sykes)
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"The most consistent voice in music for 60 years has been Aretha Franklin's voice... The world of music has lost a bit of its soul." — Jesse Jackson, in an AP interview.
Reporter Tamron Hall, from left, Willie Wilkerson, singer Aretha Franklin, music executive Clive Davis and Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. attend Aretha Franklin’s 74th Birthday Celebration at the Ritz-Carlton on Thursday, April 14, 2016, in New York. (Photo by Donald Traill/Invision/AP)
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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
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"A national treasure to everyone. But to me personally, Aretha Franklin was my dear, dear friend, my homegirl, and I loved her a lot. From seeing her as a baby singing and playing at the piano at her father's home, to her giving a rousing performance at the White House, she has always been amazing. No matter how the music has changed over the years, she remained so relevant." — Berry Gordy, in a statement.
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"It seems very strange to wake up and hear that she passed today even though she lived such a long and fulfilled life. It's no secret that she's an icon. She is an icon of all icons... I don't know anyone she hasn't inspired." — Nicki Minaj on Apple Music.
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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
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"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. Apart from our long professional relationship, Aretha was my friend. Her loss is deeply profound and my heart is full of sadness." — Clive Davis, in a statement.
Aretha Franklin, left, and Clive Davis, right, attend Keep a Child Alive’s 2014 Black Ball at the Hammerstein Ballroom on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014, in New York. (Photo by Andy Kropa/Invision/AP)
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Aretha Franklin QUEEN of Soul, voice of a generation, one of a kind,took no crap+she didn't fly, she wore fur 2 an inauguration & dared someone2 say something,she is now in the pantheon of Gods greats,in the busom of family. She was my friend,condolences 2her family&2 us all pic.twitter.com/ax6h48S27g
— Whoopi Goldberg (@WhoopiGoldberg) August 16, 2018
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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
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Aretha Franklin. The Queen of Soul. The Icon. The ultimate singers' singer. The greatest singer and musician of my lifetime. The power of your voice in music and in civil rights blew open the door for me and so many others. You were my inspiration, my mentor and my friend. pic.twitter.com/QD9pxvGLLh
— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) August 16, 2018
You showed me I could sing the songs I wanted to sing and bring God with me. You've inspired millions everywhere yet never left home, never left church. Today the entire world mourns your home-going and celebrates all the brilliance you left behind. pic.twitter.com/Ek0yHdXcRF
— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) August 16, 2018
I will forever cherish the moments I spent in your presence. Your indelible impact was earned not only by your incomparable voice but by your bigger than life personality, wit and humor. I say a BIG prayer for you. You will forever have all our RESPECT. Love, Mariah ♥️ pic.twitter.com/97qk0J64rO
— Mariah Carey (@MariahCarey) August 16, 2018
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"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." — Sam Moore, in a statement.
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Today has always been a hard day for me, and now the “Queen Of Soul” Aretha Franklin has left us, this loss saddens my heart not only was she a fellow Memphian, but she was also my inspiration to sing 😢 pic.twitter.com/amLqmcGvri
— Lisa Marie Presley (@LisaPresley) August 16, 2018
Thursday is the 41st anniversary of Elvis Presley's death.
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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
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Her voice; her presence; her styleNo one did it betterTruly the Queen of SoulI will miss you!@ArethaFranklin #QueenOfSoul pic.twitter.com/Gw5XEhsxjH
— Lionel Richie (@LionelRichie) August 16, 2018
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Salute to the Queen. The greatest vocalist I've ever known. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 #Aretha
— John Legend (@johnlegend) August 16, 2018
Every note, every riff, every scream was so intentional and perfectly executed. What a musician. What an instrument.
— John Legend (@johnlegend) August 16, 2018
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"We have lost another legend from the civil rights era. From the time she was a teenager, Ms. Franklin has been singing freedom songs in support of my father and others in the struggle for civil rights. As a daughter of the movement, she not only used her voice to entertain but to uplift and inspire generations through songs that have become anthems such as "Respect" and "Bridge over Troubled Water." — Dr. Bernice A. King, in a statement.
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I’m sitting in prayer for the wonderful golden spirit Aretha Franklin.
— Ms. Ross (@DianaRoss) August 16, 2018
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"From the time that Dinah Washington first told me that Aretha was the 'next one' when she was 12-years old until the present day, Aretha Franklin set the bar upon which every female singer has and will be measured. And she did it with the professionalism, class, grace and humility that only a true Queen could. 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 hanging in the kitchen, and I will miss her dearly. RIP Ree-Ree. You will reign as the Queen forever." — Quincy Jones, in a statement.
From the time that Dinah Washington 1st told me that Aretha was the “next one” when she was 12-years old, until the present day, Aretha Franklin set the bar & she did it with the professionalism, class, grace, & humility that only a true Queen could... 📸: Hassan pic.twitter.com/IjT6I7NH1D
— Quincy Jones (@QuincyDJones) August 16, 2018
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Rest in peace Aretha. ❤ pic.twitter.com/QT7HeY5SIf
— Patti LaBelle (@MsPattiPatti) August 16, 2018
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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
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"For more than 50 years, she stirred our souls. She was elegant, graceful, and utterly uncompromising in her artistry. Aretha's first music school was the church and her performances were powered by what she learned there. I'll always be grateful for her kindness and support, including her performances at both my inaugural celebrations, and for the chance to be there for what sadly turned out to be her final performance last November at a benefit supporting the fight against HIV/AIDS. She will forever be the Queen of Soul and so much more to all who knew her personally and through her music. Our hearts go out to her family and her countless fans." — Bill Clinton, in a statement.
Singer Aretha Franklin, left, gets welcomed on stage by President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton at the White House Correspondents Association dinner at the Washington Hilton in Washington, Saturday, May 1, 1999. Franklin was guest performer at the event. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)
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"She was an amazing musician and an amazing vocalist, but she was also like the girl next door. I think what kept her really grounded was her spiritual upbringing, and her father. The world has lost a really wonderful person." — Kenny Gamble, who worked with Franklin in 1969, when she recorded his song "A Brand New Me," in an interview.
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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
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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
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As the One and Only ‘ Queen of Soul ‘ Aretha Franklin was simply peerless. She has reigned supreme, and will always be held in the highest firmament of stars as the most exceptional vocalist, performer and recording artist the world has ever been privileged to witness (1/3)
— Annie Lennox (@AnnieLennox) August 16, 2018
Her voice will soar forever https://t.co/xoFcotNzev(3/3)
— Annie Lennox (@AnnieLennox) August 16, 2018
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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
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Deeply saddened by the passing of a beloved friend and queen/warrior Aretha Franklin. Her contributions are legendary both personally and societally. We hope you take a pause today to remember the life of a beautiful soul. pic.twitter.com/ce4ht2g0ha
— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) August 16, 2018
Reflecting on the life and legacy of Aretha Franklin and what she meant to me, the world may never get another Aretha. pic.twitter.com/j0Ui7PuhXf
— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) August 16, 2018
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"Rightfully known worldwide as the 'Queen of Soul,' Ms. Franklin's incomparable voice and remarkable career have left an indelible mark on the lives of many and will never be forgotten." — RCA Records, in a statement.
— RCA Records (@RCARecords) August 16, 2018
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Aretha Franklin – I want to thank her for her wonderful voice singing the theme song of “A Different World.” She made a big, strong positive impact on that series. I am playing a cut from her... https://t.co/1U69Q8RiF9
— Bill Cosby (@BillCosby) August 16, 2018
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