“Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin dies at 76

[Sharingbuttons]The first black female to reach super-star level via singing, with hit songs such as “Respect” and “Chain of Fools”, Franklin was the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. “In one of the darkest moments of our lives, we are not able to find the appropriate words to express the pain in our heart,” Franklin’s family said in a released statement. “We have lost the matriarch and rock of our family. The love she had for her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins knew no bounds.”

Aretha Franklin died early this morning from a advanced pancreatic cancer issue. She was 76. She started off singing at her father’s church where her father was known to be her biggest fan.

The 18 time Grammy winner passed away at her Detroit home at at 9:50 a.m. Things got noticeable worst in march after she cancelled all her future shows after which things continued to go down hill health wise. The family is currently putting together funeral arrangements and will announce dates to the public soon!