Connect with us

Black History

Celebrities pay tribute to Aretha Franklin

ROLLINGOUT.COM — Aretha Franklin was honored at a star-studded tribute concert.

Published

on

By Rollingout.com

Aretha Franklin was honored at a star-studded tribute concert.

A hoard of A-list celebrities, including Alicia Keys and Celine Dion, took the stage to pay homage to the late Franklin — who died last year at the age of 76 after a battle with pancreatic cancer — to relive the Queen of Soul’s biggest hits in a live tribute concert.

Certain family members, including her grandson who spoke at her funeral, attended the event, which was held in Los Angeles and hosted by filmmaker and actor Tyler Perry.

Jennifer Hudson, who will star in Franklin’s biopic, Respect, kicked off the tribute performing “Think” followed by Keys, 37, performing a duet of “Day Dreaming” with singer-songwriter SZA, who said she was “blessed” to be there.

Dion received a standing ovation for her rendition of “A Change is Gonna Come,” while Fantasia, Andra Day, Brandi Carlile and Alessia Cara came together to sing “Natural Woman.”

Common and Yolanda Adams performed “Young, Gifted and Black,” although the rapper inserted his own politically charged rap lyrics into the 1972 hit.

Smokey Robinson took a moment to remember the soul legend while on stage, adding: “She was a gifted songwriter, a fantastic musician and a great formidable activist. For me, she was my little sister who I loved so much. I still love her so much. But she’s gone home now to be with her father. I believe she has been reunited with her entire
immediate family.”

Other performers included Shirley Caesar, Kelly Clarkson, Chloe X Halle, H.E.R., John Legend and BeBe Winans.

The tribute was put on by the Recording Academy and music mogul Clive Davis, who  insisted that “there will never ever be another Aretha Franklin.”

According to the Los Angeles Times, the tribute concert was held Sunday, Jan. 13, 2019, and taped for broadcast on CBS in March.

This article originally appeared in Rollingout.com.

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of July 9 – 15, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of July 9 – 15, 2025

Published

on

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Continue Reading

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of July 2- 8, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of July 2 – 8, 2025

Published

on

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Continue Reading

Activism

Oakland Post: Week of June 25 – July 1, 2025

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of June 25 – July 1, 2025

Published

on

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

Continue Reading

Subscribe to receive news and updates from the Oakland Post

* indicates required

CHECK OUT THE LATEST ISSUE OF THE OAKLAND POST

ADVERTISEMENT

WORK FROM HOME

Home-based business with potential monthly income of $10K+ per month. A proven training system and website provided to maximize business effectiveness. Perfect job to earn side and primary income. Contact Lynne for more details: Lynne4npusa@gmail.com 800-334-0540

Facebook

Activism1 day ago

Oakland Post: Week of July 9 – 15, 2025

#NNPA BlackPress4 days ago

Black Americans Still Face Deep Retirement Gaps Despite Higher Incomes

#NNPA BlackPress5 days ago

Scorching Heat Sparks Bipartisan Climate Alarm

#NNPA BlackPress6 days ago

Michael Jackson Estate Files Court Petition Alleging $213 Million Extortion Plot by Frank Cascio

#NNPA BlackPress6 days ago

WATCH: Glynn Turman receives a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame July 10

#NNPA BlackPress6 days ago

POWER IN ACTION: Delta Sigma Theta Hosts 57th National Convention

#NNPA BlackPress6 days ago

Measles Cases Hit 33-Year Record as CORI Deploys Outbreak Response Tools

#NNPA BlackPress6 days ago

PRESS ROOM: Intuit Expands IDEAS Program Nationally: Applications Now Open for the Company’s Award-Winning Business Accelerator

#NNPA BlackPress7 days ago

Target Looks for Love in All the Wrong Places as Black Leaders Reject Corporate Spin

#NNPA BlackPress7 days ago

A ‘New Direction’: West Coast Black News Publisher, Dr. John Warren, Elected Board Chair of NNPA

#NNPA BlackPress7 days ago

Facing Pressure From Black Voters, Democrats Detail Fight Against 47th President’s Agenda

#NNPA BlackPress7 days ago

OBSERVER Awarded Grant to Expand to Stockton

#NNPA BlackPress7 days ago

Medicaid Enrollees Targeted for Forced Farm Work Under Trump Immigration Crackdown

#NNPA BlackPress7 days ago

L.A. Dodgers Owner’s Ties to Private Prisons and Surveillance Spark Backlash from Latino Fans

#NNPA BlackPress7 days ago

Early Childhood Educators at Head Starts and Other Programs Say They’re Facing Even More Challenges

Trending

Copyright ©2021 Post News Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.