Musical icon Aretha Franklin has passed away

by Ayanda Sithole
Aretha Franklin has passed away and died

The sad news of Aretha Franklin’s death has already gripped her peers in the music industry with sadness.

The legendary singer, also know as the ‘The Queen of Soul” died on Thursday afternoon.

According to CNN, the singer suffered pancreatic cancer of the neuroendocrine type, which was confirmed by Aretha’s oncologist, Dr. Philip Phillips of Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit.

The news comes days after it was revealed that she was gravely ill and receiving hospice treatment.

SEE ALSO: Aretha Franklin reportedly gravely ill

According the news site Aretha canceled a few performances, including at the New Orleans Jazz Fest, on doctor’s orders.

The singer’s final public performance was last November, when she sang at an Elton John AIDS Foundation gala in New York.

 

 

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The loss of Aretha Franklin is a blow for everybody who loves real music: Music from the heart, the soul and the Church. Her voice was unique, her piano playing underrated – she was one of my favourite pianists. I was fortunate enough to spend time with her and witness her last performance – a benefit for the Elton John AIDS Foundation at St John The Divine Cathedral. She was obviously unwell, and I wasn’t sure she could perform. But Aretha did and she raised the roof. She sang and played magnificently, and we all wept. We were witnessing the greatest soul artist of all time. I adored her and worshipped her talent. God bless her. My condolences to all her family and friends. We shared the same birthday – and that meant so much to me. The whole world will miss her but will always rejoice in her remarkable legacy. The Queen is dead. Long live the Queen. @arethasings #RIP #ArethaFranklin #QueenOfSoul @ejaf

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