Aretha Franklin passed away on August 16 of pancreatic cancer. Now, fans are getting the chance to publicly mourn and pay their respects to the music legend. Her body is lying in repose at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in her native Detroit. Early today, August 28, hundreds of fans were already lined up around the block to give their love to the queen of soul. Click through the gallery to see the emotional photos.
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Photo credit: Getty Images
Aretha's body was brought to the museum this morning. The Wright Museum is also where civil rights icon Rosa Parks lay in repose after her 2005 death. It was the largest black museum in the country until the National Museum of African American History and Culture opened in Washington, D.C., two years ago.
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Photo credit: Getty Images
Hundreds of fans had already lined up this morning. Thousands are expected today and tomorrow as the museum is open for visitation.
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Photo credit: Getty Images
Aretha's family dressed her in a red dress and matching red shoes fit for the queen of soul.
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Photo credit: Getty Images
Some fans were overcome by emotion when they saw her. Many fans brought memorabilia or custom shirts with them, letting them express their love for the original diva, icon, and inspiration.
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Photo credit: Getty Images
Thursday, August 30, Detroit will play host to a huge, free concert in her memory. Gladys Knight, Johnny Gill, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Angie Stone, and Keith Washington are just some of the musicians set to perform.
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Photo credit: Getty Images
Her funeral, Friday, August 31, is closed to the public. Stevie Wonder, Faith Hill, Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia and Shirley Caesar are amongst those set to perform. It's believed the funeral will be streamed online.
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Photo credit: Getty Images
Other performers set to sing at the hours-long event include Chaka Khan, Jennifer Holliday, and her son, Edward Franklin. Confirmed speakers include former President Bill Clinton, Smokey Robinson, Jesse Jackson, and Clive Davis.
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Photo credit: MEGA
Aretha performed at many historic events in her liftime, including the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Clinton and Barack Obama's inaugurations.
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Photo credit: MEGA
Share your favorite memories of Aretha Franklin in the comments.
Aretha's body was brought to the museum this morning. The Wright Museum is also where civil rights icon Rosa Parks lay in repose after her 2005 death. It was the largest black museum in the country until the National Museum of African American History and Culture opened in Washington, D.C., two years ago.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Hundreds of fans had already lined up this morning. Thousands are expected today and tomorrow as the museum is open for visitation.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Aretha's family dressed her in a red dress and matching red shoes fit for the queen of soul.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Some fans were overcome by emotion when they saw her. Many fans brought memorabilia or custom shirts with them, letting them express their love for the original diva, icon, and inspiration.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Thursday, August 30, Detroit will play host to a huge, free concert in her memory. Gladys Knight, Johnny Gill, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Angie Stone, and Keith Washington are just some of the musicians set to perform.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Her funeral, Friday, August 31, is closed to the public. Stevie Wonder, Faith Hill, Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia and Shirley Caesar are amongst those set to perform. It's believed the funeral will be streamed online.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Other performers set to sing at the hours-long event include Chaka Khan, Jennifer Holliday, and her son, Edward Franklin. Confirmed speakers include former President Bill Clinton, Smokey Robinson, Jesse Jackson, and Clive Davis.
Photo credit: Getty Images
Aretha performed at many historic events in her liftime, including the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Clinton and Barack Obama's inaugurations.
Share your favorite memories of Aretha Franklin in the comments.
