Six hours of testimonials and songs. Music stars, fans and politicians paid tribute to the legendary Aretha Franklin on Friday, August 31, a grandiose funeral in his city of Detroit.
The ceremony in the Greater Grace Temple was an opportunity to celebrate the life and legacy of the "Queen of the Soul" who died of pancreatic cancer for six hours. The former president Bill Clinton delivered a eulogy, while letters from his successors George W. Bush and Barack Obama were read. Both have praised his contribution to his country and its cultural significance.
Singer Smokey Robinson spoke with emotion about his childhood friend, who will miss him for the rest of his life. He offered a few moments of a capella song, in a church decorated with imposing bunches of lavender and white and pink roses. "I miss you, my friend, I miss you, my friend, I know my love for you will never go out," he said, throwing a kiss on the golden box.
A national heritage
The office was interrupted bymusical tribute, like that of the young Ariana Grande, who sang the 1968 pipe Natural woman, accompanied by a gospel choir. Jennifer Hudson, who has to play the diva on the big screen, played the song Great grace. Shortly before the end of the service, Stevie Wonder played a harmonica solo and performed I will always love you.
"I am so proud of you, I know you are looking at me from the windows of paradise and I promise to carry the legacy of our family proudly," said his grandson Jordan, bursting into tears. Initially reserved for family and friends, the funeral was opened for a thousand fans, who formed a long row on Thursday. A gigantic screen that re-aired the funeral was installed at a nearby gas station.
A lot of pink Cadillacs, a nod to the tube of Aretha Franklin Freeway of Lovewere parked in front of the church and followed the hearse to the cemetery where the diva will be buried next to her father and brothers and sisters.
An emblematic figure of civil rights
More than 40 artists performed in Detroit on Thursday night to play the best songs of the legendary American singer. The Four Tops, Dee Dee Bridgewater or Angie Stone delighted fans with the sounds of the inevitable Say A Little Prayer and respect, performed in choir of all artists.
A gospel choir, a nod to the musical debut of the & # 39; Queen of the soul & # 39; in her father's parish, pastor, also celebrated her immense career of six decades, which made her one of the most respected artists in the United States. This concert closed three days in which thousands of fans marched in front of his coffin.
Aretha Franklin was one of America's biggest voices and an iconic figure of the black community that has marked generations of artists. Her sensual and powerful voice, spread over four octaves, has influenced many American divas such as Whitney Houston and Beyoncé. Born in a segregationist South in Memphis, she was also closely linked to the civil rights movement.
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