NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 19: Aretha Franklin performs onstage during the 'Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives' Premiere Concert during the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival at Radio City Music Hall on April 19, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival)
Dozens of famous music stars and other celebrities attended Aretha Franklin‘s funeral service in Detroit on Friday, with each person providing a special tribute to the late Queen of Soul.
Famous guests like former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Stevie Wonder, Rev. Jesse Jackson and Smokey Robinson all attended the service at the Greater Grace Temple. Franklin died aged 76 on Aug. 16 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Bill Clinton spoke of the values Franklin championed throughout her life.
“She cared about broken people,” he said. “She cared about people who were disappointed. She cared about people who didn’t succeed as much as she did.”
A letter from former President George W. Bush — who presented Franklin with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005 — was also read.
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“Aretha was a woman of achievement with a deep character and loving heart. She made important and lasting contributions to American music with her gospel-inspired style and distinctive voice,” the letter read.
Robinson sang a couple lines from his hit song “Really Gonna Miss You.”
Ariana Grande, who was added to the lineup of performers just a few days ago, crooned one of Franklin’s most famous songs: “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” Faith Hill also performed.
The Aretha Franklin Orchestra performed a medley of the Queen of Soul’s hits including “Angel” and “I Say A Little Prayer.”
The Rev. Al Sharpton read a statement from former President Barack Obama, and also drew raucous applause after he blasted President Donald Trump for stating Franklin had “worked for” him shortly after she died.
“She performed for you,” said Sharpton of the music legend, who sang at several Trump-owned buildings. “She worked for us.”
Franklin will reportedly be buried at Detroit’s Woodlawn Cemetery, where her father C.L. Franklin, a minister, was also laid to rest.
Flowers and other memorial items were laid out in front of Franklin’s casket to honor her.
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