Dionne Warwick
"Our Heavenly Father has chosen one of our most prolific voices to join His Heavenly Choir...............Aretha now rests in peace!!.....I, like I'm sure she was taught, that we are All put on this earth for a purpose, and once that is fulfilled, we will then be 'Called Home'! She sincerely will be missed throughout the Musical World, Family, and Friends. My deep heartfelt condolence I send from my family to her family and do hope the grief I know they are feeling will begin to subside with time, as losing a family member is a VERY HARD THING to process. Know that her pain is over and she suffers no longer! Rest in Peace my Friend."
The wondrous chorus of America at its best has lost a powerful voice. Aretha Franklin shook the heavens and our own complacency with her spirit and by tackling life with power and purpose. #Respect
— Dan Rather (@DanRather) August 16, 2018
"This morning, my longest friend in this world went home to be with our father. I will miss her so much, but I know she’s at peace."
-Smokey Robinson
Tony Bennett
It was a double thrill for me to perform on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera on my 85th birthday and have the Queen of Soul (and heart) Aretha Franklin singing with me....she will be missed by the world.
Gloria Estefan: "For as long as I can remember, Aretha Franklin has been the absolute zenith, the guiding light, the master for any girl that aspired to sing or even just appreciated someone at the top of their game. I was blessed to have sung with her on more than one occasion and each time I felt that I was in the presence of musical royalty that would forever raise the bar and set the standard. Long live the Queen of Soul through her extraordinary & singular voice and her indelible music. "
Bonnie Raitt wrote an extremely lengthy essay, which said, in part, "I am so saddened by the loss of our beloved Queen of Soul, Aretha. She has always been my favorite and the greatest singer I’ve ever heard. Along with Ray Charles, she has been the most influential artist in my life. She brought the raw passion and beauty of gospel and the deepest blues, irrepressible rhythm to every note she sang."
Bonnie added, "I learned [from her]...most of what I still know about men, love, strength and vulnerability in the face of loss and betrayal; about the deep well of spirit and surrender to a higher purpose, including standing up for oneself and demanding respect....She gave us the raw power and dimension of what a real, ’natural’ woman could be."
Billy Joel said, "We've lost the greatest singer of our time."We have lost the greatest singer of our time. As a songwriter, I know personally how meaningful a gifted interpreter of material can be. No one can replace her. - Billy Joel
Brian Wilson, of the Beach Boys, called her one of the greatest and most emotional singers and said he used to love listening to her music in the 60s.I’m very sad to hear about Aretha Franklin passing. She was one of the greatest and most emotional singers. I used to love listening to her in the sixties but her music is timeless. Love & Mercy to Aretha’s family and friends.
