??The festivities began with a street renaming of a portion of Madison Avenue to Aretha Franklin Way on Thursday, June 8th. On Friday, tribute performances were presented at Detroit’s Music Hall Center by the divas of Detroit including rousing performances of Franklin classics,Oh Mary Don’t You Weep by Grammy winner Karen Clark Sheard and How I Got Over sung by Vickie Winans. Additonal performances came from SundayBest Winner Tasha Page Lockhart and Larry Callahan and the Selected of God Choir. Celebrated BMI Songwriter and Producer and accomplished musician Derrick Starks was part of the Superband helmed by Kern Brantley and shared his sentiments. “It was just an honor to be a part of such a fabulous tribute. Ms Franklin is authentically a Detroit treasure and it was wonderful that we could have an opportunity to honor her for contributions to music. Having the opportunity to share the stage and play behind some of the greats is an experience I will cherish for the rest of my life.”
The festival continued with some 30 plus artists performing across 4 stages before the finale when Queen Aretha graced the audience with her presence flanked by her long time friend, the Reverend Jesse Jackson. Franklin’s band was conducted by Chicago native Fred Nelson III and Franklin was joined by Melvin and Doug Williams for an emotionally stirring rendition of Precious Memories.
