Although she had announced 2017 would be her last year touring, legendary Aretha Franklin scheduled a few 2018 dates. Her 76th birthday performance on March 25 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark as well as her April 28 appearance at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Fest had to be canceled for health reasons, essentially forced rest.
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"Aretha Franklin has been ordered by her doctor to stay off the road and rest completely for at least the next two months," was the wording of her management's official statement.
The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Fest has announced Rod Stewart will fill in her April 28th date. While we're waiting for the Queen of Soul to recuperate, and sending prayers that rest is all she needs, we can look back at a few of her GRAMMY highlights.
In the year 1967 the success of her album I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You and the three singles "Chain Of Fools," "A Natural Woman (You Make Me Feel Like)," and "Respect" all planted themselves permanently in the American landscape and are recognized in the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame. At the 10th GRAMMY Awards, "Respect" won Best Rhythm & Blues Recording and Best Rhythm & Blues Solo Vocal Performance, Female — the first two of her 18 GRAMMY Awards. Her 1972 album Amazing Grace with James Cleveland & The Southern California Comm. Choir is also in the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame.
The Recording Academy honored Franklin with its Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994. Her classic TV performance of "Nessun Dorma," when Luciano Pavarotti was unable to perform, occurred in 1998 at the 40th GRAMMY Awards. She was also recognized as the 2008 MusiCares Person Of The Year for her philanthropy.
Franklin is still expected to give June performances in Boston and Toronto, as scheduled.
