DETROITâAretha Franklin, the undisputed âQueen of Soulâ who sang with matchless style on such classics as âThink,â ââI Say a Little Prayerâ and her signature song, âRespect,â and stood as a cultural icon around the globe, has died at age 76 from advanced pancreatic cancer.Publicist Gwendolyn Quinn tells The Associated Press through a family statement that Franklin died Thursday at 9:50 a.m. at her home in Detroit. The statement said âFranklinâs official cause of death was due to advance pancreatic cancer of the neuroendocrine type, which was confirmed by Franklinâs oncologist, Dr. Philip Phillips of Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit.Read more:Aretha Franklin still singing heart out at age 70Memphis officials to help save Aretha Franklinâs birthplaceFranklin really does love TorontoThe family added: âIn one of the darkest moments of our lives, we are not able to find the appropriate words to express the pain in our heart. We have lost the matriarch and rock of our family. The love she had for her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins knew no bounds.âThe statement continued:âWe have been deeply touched by the incredible outpouring of love and support we have received from close friends, supporters and fans all around the world. Thank you for your compassion and prayers. We have felt your love for Aretha and it brings us comfort to know that her legacy will live on. As we grieve, we ask that you respect our privacy during this difficult time.âFuneral arrangements will be announced in the coming days.Franklin, who had battled undisclosed health issues in recent years, had in 2017 announced her retirement from touring.A professional singer and accomplished pianist by her late teens, a superstar by her mid-20s, Franklin had long ago settled any arguments over who was the greatest popular vocalist of her time. Her gifts, natural and acquired, w ...
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