Aretha Franklin: Funeral for the 'Queen of Soul' held in Detroit

World
Europe

03:24

Friends, family and a star-studded line-up of performers, athletes and politicians have been paying their respects to the 'Queen of Soul' Aretha Franklin. The singer and civil rights activist died last month at the age of 76. CGTN's Dan Williams has the story from Detroit.

Saying goodbye to an icon. But Aretha Franklin's final journey was set to be a celebration of a career that transcended music.

A star studded line up of artists, sports stars and politicians arrived looking to pay their respects to a performer, the 'Queen of soul,' who used her voice far beyond singing.

A women's rights campaigner, a civil rights leader, a source of inspiration.

JENIFER LEWIS ACTRESS "When there was no food there was Aretha Franklin. When there was no heat in my house there was Aretha Franklin. Aretha Franklin has wrapped her soul around our souls and that is why she is the queen of souls and always will be. There will never be a singer greater than Aretha Franklin."

JENNIFER HOLLIDAY SINGER "It's bittersweet because the woman that we celebrate today on this final day has been a part of every generation. Can you imagine that From the 1960s to now, relevant? This is not just our Queen but the soundtrack of our lives."

Others, including close friend and civil rights leader, the Reverend Jesse Jackson used the occasion as a call for further action to advance civil rights.

JESSE JACKSON CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST "The joy of her music, her legacy is awesome. There's a lot of joy in that. It was music and service. But we can't have long line for funerals and short lines for voting. We must also use this as a transforming moment to think through the next phase of our struggle."

The ceremony itself was an all-day event. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton was among those to pay tribute.

BILL CLINTON FORMER US PRESIDENT "She had the voice of a generation, maybe the voice of a century. She lived with courage. Not without fears but overcoming those fears."

But it was above all, a celebration of Aretha's incredible career that spanned six decades.

Pop singer Ariana Grande gave a stirring performance of Franklin's signature hit, 'Natural Woman'.

While greats such as Smokey Robinson and Chaka Khan also lent their voices to the musical tribute.

But perhaps the most moving performance came from close friend Stevie Wonder.

DAN WILLIAMS DETROIT "Aretha Franklin was many things to many people. Her voice and her legacy - sure to bring hope and inspiration for future generations. Dan Williams, CGTN, Detroit."