“The Queen of Soul” has left the building. Gospel and R&B singer Aretha Franklin died on Thursday at the age of 76.
Franklin had been battling advanced pancreatic cancer and succumbed to the disease after it was reported on Monday that she had been entered into hospice care.
“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. We have lost the matriarch and rock of our family,” Fraklin’s family said in a statement, according to CNN. “The love she had for her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins knew no bounds.”
Franklin was a legend in the music industry for decades, singing such hits as “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” “Chain of Fools,” “Think,” and, of course, “Respect.”
The singer also appeared in an iconic scene in the 1980 film, “The Blues Brothers,” starring John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, and a number of other musical talents.
Franklin was also the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
Take a look:
Condolences and remembrances flooded Twitter following the news of Franklin’s passing, including President Trump:
On an interesting little side note, “The Queen of Soul” passed on the same date, 41 years later, as “The King of Rock & Roll,” Elvis Presley.
Take a final look at the powerful voice of Aretha Franklin: