Reports: Aretha Franklin Gravely Ill In Detroit
By Scott Bernstein Aug 13, 2018 • 7:19 am PDT
There’s sad news out of Detroit as multiple reports indicate legendary singer Aretha Franklin is gravely ill. Friends and family are said to have gathered in Detroit around the famed vocalist.
The “Queen Of Soul’s” condition was first reported by Showbiz 411’s Roger Friedman. “This is exclusive, and heart breaking for me and for the family and friends of the great Aretha Franklin. She is gravely ill in Detroit. The family is asking for prayers and privacy,” Friedman wrote of Franklin.
Longtime friend and Detroit news anchor Evrod Cassimy tweeted similar news:
I am so saddened to report that the Queen of Soul and my good friend, Aretha Franklin is gravely ill. I spoke with her family members this morning. She is asking for your prayers at this time. I’ll have more details as I’m allowed to release.
The 76-year-old was the first female inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame following a career filled with hits in multiple decades. She last performed this past November at Elton John’s AIDS Foundation gala in New York City. Franklin canceled appearances at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and in Newark, New Jersey earlier this year “under doctor’s orders.”
