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Aretha Franklin, the singer-songwriter whose soulful songs became anthems for the civil rights movement,died on Thursday at the age of 76. Since the news broke,tributes filled with love and memories have rolled in— including touching statements fromHillaryandBill ClintonandBarackandMichelle Obama, who describe her singing as “a glimpse of the divine.”
In contrast,President Trumphas been criticized for his statement to the press, which said in part, “She worked for me…”
According to some on Twitter, the statements from the Clintons and Obamas were noticeably more heartfelt.
Hillary Clinton also tweeted a tribute, writing, “Mourning the loss today of @ArethaFranklin who shared her spirit and talent with the world. She deserves not only our RESPECT but also our lasting gratitude for opening our eyes, ears and hearts. Rest in eternal peace, my friend.”
The Obamas were even more effusive in their love and acknowledgment of her legacy. The former president and first lady had a special friendship with Franklin, who famously performed atBarack Obama’s 2009 inauguration.
“America has no royalty. But we do have a chance to earn something more enduring,” the former president wrote on behalf of him and his wife, per a statement that was later posted on Instagram. “Born in Memphis and raised in Detroit, Aretha Franklin grew up performing gospel songs in her father’s congregation. For more than six decades since, every time she sang, we were all graced with a glimpse of the divine.”
Franklin, who battled pancreatic cancer for years, began her vocal career as a teenager. She sang gospel hymns in her father’s Detroit church. From these humble beginnings she scaled to the very heights of stardom, scoring her first national chart-topper in 1967 with her version of Otis Redding’s “Respect.”
Obama made sure to acknowledge Franklin’s historical importance in his post.
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“Through her compositions and unmatched musicianship, Aretha helped define the American experience,” Obama continued, “In her voice, we could feel our history, all of it and in every shade—our power and our pain, our darkness and our light, our quest for redemption and our hard-won respect. She helped us feel more connected to each other, more hopeful, more human. And sometimes she helped us just forget about everything else and dance.
On Thursday morning,Michelle Obamawrote on Instagram: “Watching Aretha Franklin perform at the White House, and on so many other occasions, made time stand still. @BarackObama and I are holding Aretha’s family in our hearts right now. She will forever be our Queen of Soul.”
The Obamas aren’t the only ones from the previous administration who reflected on Franklin’s legacy. Former White House photographer Pete Souza took a break fromtrolling President Trumpto post a photo of the singer.
“R-E-S-P-E-C-T. RIP Aretha,” he wrote on Instagram.
source: people.com
