Musicians pay tribute to 'Queen of Soul' Aretha Franklin

Musicians pay tribute to 'Queen of Soul' Aretha Franklin

The 'Queen of Soul' Aretha Franklin has passed away, but her music will live on forever.

Mark RALSTON / AFP aretha franklin
Mark RALSTON / AFP

The music industry is mourning the death of one of its most talented musicians - Aretha Franklin. The 76-year-old passed away on Thursday following a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer

Dozens of celebrities, including some of the world's biggest music stars, took to social media to pay tribute to the 'Queen of Soul'

Singer and actress Barbra Streisand says it's hard to imagine a world without Aretha. 

"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," she tweeted.

'Hello' hitmaker Lionel Richie says Aretha was truly the 'Queen of Soul'.

"Her voice; her presence; her style, no one did it better. Truly the Queen of Soul. I will miss you!" he wrote on Twitter.

Grammy Award-winner Mariah Carey says the music icon will "forever have all our respect".

"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."

South African musicians have also paid tribute to the star.

Thandiswa Mazwai, who shared a stage with Aretha at a 2009 concert in New York City, says Aretha's voice "gave power where it was needed". 

'Feel Good' singer Lira wrote on Instagram: "Her voice and music formed part of the sound track to my youth! Thank you Queen Of Soul! Sending you love and light. Deepest condolences to your loved ones and fans around the globe! #RIPArethaFranklin."

Up until March 2017, Aretha was the only artist to have 73 entries on the Billboard Hot 100 - America's music industry standard record chart.

Some of her biggest hits on the chart include, 'Respect' (1976) and 'I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)' ft. George Michael (1987) - which both spent two weeks at number one.

'Chain of Fools' (1968) peaked at number two on the chart, while 'Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)' reached the number three spot in 1974.

'I Say a Little Prayer' (1968), 'A Natural Woman (You Make Me Feel Like)' (1967), and 'Bridge Over Troubled Water' (1971) also made the Top 10. 

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