![Aretha Franklin performs onstage in New York City[Photo:RNZ]](https://www.fijivillage.com/news_images/275100345b75d141ba4a3e9d5d453e.jpg)
Beloved soul singer Aretha Franklin has died at the age of 76.
Salute to the Queen. The greatest vocalist I've ever known. 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 #Aretha
— John Legend (@johnlegend) August 16, 2018
The legendary singer was diagnosed with cancer in 2010 and recently announced she was retiring from music.
God bless Aretha Franklin the queen of soul and peace and love to her family 😎✌️🌟💖🎵🎶☮️
— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) August 16, 2018
Franklin had more than 20 US chart hits over a music career spanning seven decades.
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 hangin’ in the kitchen, & I will miss her dearly. RIP Ree-Ree...You will reign as the Queen forever. pic.twitter.com/Gyr3q13n8P
— Quincy Jones (@QuincyDJones) August 16, 2018
In a statement, her family confirmed her death was due to advanced pancreatic cancer.
Aretha Franklin was the only thing I wanted to listen to in the car growing up. I always asked my mom to put her on. Rest In Peace, Queen if soul. An irreplaceable legend!
— Zara Larsson (@zaralarsson) August 16, 2018
Sir Elton John led the tributes on his Instagram account, and other as did other stars including, Annie Lennox and Sir Paul McCartney.
The whole world will miss her but will always rejoice in her remarkable legacy. The Queen is dead. Long live the Queen. #RIPArethaFranklin
— Elton John (@eltonofficial) August 16, 2018
Elton xx
Franklin was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W Bush in 2005, when she was saluted for "capturing the hearts of millions of Americans".
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
Ten years later she reduced President Barack Obama to tears when she sang (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman at a Kennedy Center Honours ceremony, having previously performed at his inauguration.
RIP Aretha Franklin what a voice x
— Liam Gallagher (@liamgallagher) August 16, 2018
The greatest voice in American popular music has been stilled. Our beloved #ArethaFranklin has gone. For me, she was a musical lighthouse, guiding and inspiring with every note. I loved her so and love her still. Goodbye, Queen of Soul.
— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) August 16, 2018
[Source:BBC News]
