Aretha Franklin's funeral | Bill Clinton recounts encounter | Jennifer Hudson and Ariana Grande sing their hearts out | COMPLETE COVERAGE
- 6 years ago
The day began with Franklin being carried down a red carpet in to Detroit's Greater Grace Temple on Friday morning in a gold plated casket, wearing a gold, full length dress ahead of her star-studded funeral.
As guests walked into the church, and thousands waited out the front to find out if they would be among the lucky 1,000 members of the public permitted entry, the Aretha Franklin Orchestra sang.
Among the high profile guests were Whoopi Goldberg, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Ariana Grande, boxer Tommy Hearns, Motown star Martha Reeves and Jesse Jackson.
Remarks began with local politicians before Ariana Grande sang Franklin's song.
Clinton said he and wife Hillary, who attended the funeral with him, had long been avid fans of the soul singer.
Reverend Al Sharpton told of the time Franklin went on an 11-city tour to raise money for Martin Luther King, who was struggling to fund his payroll.
Ariana Grande - wearing a tiny black dress and stilettos - performed Franklin's hit '(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman'.
The starlet's childhood friend, Smokey Robinson, told the congregation of the day the pair met, and how they had been close ever since.
Franklin's niece Cristal, nephew Vaughn and her son Edward also paid tribute
Reverend and civil rights activist Jesse Jackson said there was 'much to be said and done' with Franklin's legacy.
As guests walked into the church, and thousands waited out the front to find out if they would be among the lucky 1,000 members of the public permitted entry, the Aretha Franklin Orchestra sang.
Among the high profile guests were Whoopi Goldberg, Bill and Hillary Clinton, Ariana Grande, boxer Tommy Hearns, Motown star Martha Reeves and Jesse Jackson.
Remarks began with local politicians before Ariana Grande sang Franklin's song.
Clinton said he and wife Hillary, who attended the funeral with him, had long been avid fans of the soul singer.
Reverend Al Sharpton told of the time Franklin went on an 11-city tour to raise money for Martin Luther King, who was struggling to fund his payroll.
Ariana Grande - wearing a tiny black dress and stilettos - performed Franklin's hit '(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman'.
The starlet's childhood friend, Smokey Robinson, told the congregation of the day the pair met, and how they had been close ever since.
Franklin's niece Cristal, nephew Vaughn and her son Edward also paid tribute
Reverend and civil rights activist Jesse Jackson said there was 'much to be said and done' with Franklin's legacy.