Aretha Franklin’s Celebration of Life Service Features a Lineup of Distinguished Performers

Stevie Wonder, Faith Hill, Ronald Isley, Chaka Khan, Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson, Yolanda Adams, Pastor Shirley Caesar, The Clark Sisters, Jennifer Holliday, Tasha Cobbs-Leonard, Bishop Marvin Sapp The Williams Brothers, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, classical artist Audrey DuBois Harris, soprano Alice McAllister Tillman, Franklin’s son Edward Franklin, the Aretha Franklin Orchestraand the Aretha Franklin Celebration Choir are among the notable artists expected to perform in tribute to the late Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, at her Celebration of Life, set for Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, at the Greater Grace Temple in Detroit, MI.  This lineup of distinguished performers was updated by longtime Franklin publicist Gwendolyn Quinn.

The Rev. Jasper Williams, Jr., Pastor of Salem Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA, will deliver Franklin’s eulogy. Bishop Charles H. Ellis, III, pastor of Greater Grace Temple, will serve as Officiant with the Rev. Robert Smith, Jr., Pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, as Co-Officiant for the homegoing service, which will be limited to family, friends, dignitaries and special guests.

Ms. Franklin, 76, passed away Aug. 16, 2018, at her home in Detroit, surrounded by family. Twice voted as the Number One Greatest Singer of All Time by Rolling Stone Magazine, Franklin is the recipient of the U.S.A.’s highest civilian honor, The Presidential Medal of Freedom, as well as 18 competitive Grammy Awards, theGrammy Lifetime Achievement Award, and a Grammy Living Legend honor.  She was the youngest individual ever to receive the coveted Kennedy Center Honor; the first female inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame; the second female inductee into the UK Music Hall of Fame; and an inductee into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.  Aretha was the first woman and fourth artist in history to achieve 100 R&B Billboard charted singles.