An all-star lineup that includes Stevie Wonder, Faith Hill, Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia, Shirley Caesar and many more will perform at Aretha Franklin’s funeral next week.
Franklin’s service will be held in Detroit on Aug. 31. Also slated to perform are Ron Isley, Chaka Khan, Yolanda Adams, Jennifer Holliday and Franklin’s son, Edward Franklin.
Ariana Grande is also set to perform. Franklin’s rep, Gwendolyn Quinn, says Franklin met Grande when the two performed at the White House in 2014 for then President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama as part of the “Women of Soul” concert. Quinn says Franklin enjoyed meeting Grande at the time.
Franklin’s family was also moved by Grande’s performance of “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” alongside The Roots on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon after Franklin’s Aug. 16 death.
Former President Bill Clinton, Smokey Robinson, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and Cicely Tyson will be among the speakers at Franklin’s funeral.
Quinn says other speakers will include former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, music mogul Clive Davis, the Rev. Al Sharpton, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder and Bishop T.D. Jakes. Michael Eric Dyson, former TV judge Greg Mathis and Detroit Mayor Brenda Lawrence are also additional speakers.
Clinton and the Queen of Soul were longtime friends. She sang at both of his inaugurations. While, Robinson and Franklin grew up together in Detroit.
The Rev. Jasper Williams Jr. will deliver the eulogy. He is pastor of Salem Baptist Church in Atlanta. The service will reflect Franklin’s strong gospel roots. Among the gospel stars performing will be Marvin Sapp and Vanessa Bell Armstrong. The Aretha Franklin Choir and the Aretha Franklin Celebration Choir are also on the program.
The service will be held at Greater Grace Temple.
Franklin died of pancreatic cancer on Aug. 15 at age 76.
