A concert, in honour of Aretha Franklin, can be expected to take place this fall and stars are already being lined-up. The Queen of Soul is said to be seriously ill at her home in Detroit. Clive Davis, who signed the artist to Arista Records in 1980, is organising the event that will be taking place this November at Madison Square Garden. No further details regarding the event have been released yet, but Davis stated that fans can expect covers of the star’s hits including Say a Little Prayer, Think and You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman and R.E.S.P.E.C.T. The lineup is still under wraps for the moment. Gwendolyn Quinn, Franklin’s publicist, told Associated Press that the artist has been visited by friends including Stevie Wonder, US activist Reverend Jesse Jackson and her ex-husband, actor Glynn Turman. Others, including Rod Stewart, Mariah Carey, Chaka Khan, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Tyler Perry and Missy Elliott have all posted their wishes on social media and Beyonce and Jay-Z dedicated their Detroit show on Monday to the singer. Franklin is surrounded by her family who sends their appreciation for all the love and support they have received.
The star, who is Rolling Stone’s Greatest Singer of All Time, had to cancel her tour dates this past spring after her doctor advised her to take a few months off. Earlier this year she announced that she intended to retire from touring completely.