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Ariana Grande performed an impromptu tribute to Aretha Franklin who has died at the age of 76.
The singer – whose new album Sweetener is released today – was originally set to perform a comedy skit on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon , but following the news that the Queen of Soul had died, took to the stage for a rendition of “(You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman” backed by The Roots.
Grande is said to have originally been too emotional to perform. However, TMZ reports she decided to perform after percussionist Questlove convinced her to do so. They received a standing ovation from the audience as Grande broke down in tears, emotional over the loss of Franklin.
The singer recalled once receiving a phone call from the soul legend who asked her to listen to music made by one of her grandchildren.
“She goes, ‘Hi, it’s Aretha,’” she said, adding: “I was like, ‘Franklin?’”
Celebrities, including Sir Elton John and Diana Ross, have paid tribute to the soul legend, with the former calling her death “a blow for everybody who loves real music”.
Ross said on Twitter: “I’m sitting in prayer for the wonderful golden spirit Aretha Franklin.”
Aretha Franklin – career in picturesShow all 50 1 /50Aretha Franklin – career in pictures Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1968 Aretha Franklin was born in 1942 and went on to earn the title ‘The Queen of Soul’ for her services to music since the late 60s
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1968 Aretha Franklin performs onstage in 1968
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1969 Aretha Franklin on the Andy Williams Show
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1967 She signed to Atlantic Records in 1967
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1968 Franklin achieved huge success with songs including “Spanish Harlem”, "I Say a Little Prayer" and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.”
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1974 She first sang as part of a gospel at a Detroit church where her father, C.L, was the pastor before embarking upon a full-time career in 1960
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1977 Portrait of American soul singer Aretha Franklin
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1977 She won 18 Grammys
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1980 Aretha Franklin has sold over 75m records worldwide
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1981 George Benson and Aretha Franklin at the Greek Theatre
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1986 Aretha Franklin Showtime TV Special. In 1987, Franklin became the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1992 American music executive Clive Davis and Aretha Franklin attend an event together
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1993 Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson and Diana Ross perform at the Inaugural Gala for President Bill Clinton
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1994 US actor Kirk Douglas applauds singer Aretha Franklin at a reception for the Kennedy Center Honors, which recognised American performance artists who have made lifetime contributions to American culture
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1997 Aretha Franklin singing during the inaugural gala dedicated to US President Bill Clinton in Landover
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1998 Aretha Franklin had a cameo appearance in cult classic 'The Blues Brothers 2000'
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1998 Aretha Franklin poses with the Blues Brothers John Goodman, left, J.Evan Bonifant, second left, Joe Morton, second right, and Dan Aykroyd, right, after performing at the 40th Grammy Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1998 Opera singer Luciano Pavarotti laughs along with singer Aretha Franklin and the group Boyz II Men after accepting the eighth MusiCares Foundation "Person of the Year" award in New York
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1999 US President Bill Clinton along with First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton award singer Aretha Franklin with the 1999 National Medal of Arts and Humanities Award
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2001 Aretha Franklin with show host and producer Don Cornelius
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2001 Aretha Franklin performs at the conclusion of the Lane Bryant Spring/Summer 2001 Lingerie Show at Studio 54
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2001 Aretha Franklin onstage performing at 'VH1 Divas Live: The One and Only Aretha Franklin'
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2002 Torchbearer Aretha Franklin carries the Olympic Flame during the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Torch Relay in Detroit
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2003 Carly Simon, Alicia Keys and Aretha Franklin perform on stage during Clive Davis' pre-Grammy Gala
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2005 Aretha Franklin and actor Hugh Jackman perform onstage at the 59th Annual Tony Awards
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2005 Aretha Franklin is presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civil award, by President George Bush at the White House
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2005 Aretha Franklin (L) and Stevie Wonder onstage at the 10th Annual Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2006 Aretha Franlkin and Aaron Neville perform the National Anthem prior to the start of Super Bowl XL between the Seattle Seahawks and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2006 Aretha Franklin appears at Berklee College of Music commencement in Boston along with singer Melissa Etheridge, who both received honorary degrees for their achievements in music
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2007 Aretha Franklin performs onstage at the 22nd annual Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony in New York
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2008 Aretha Franklin arrives at the 2008 MusiCares person of the year, which was honoring herself
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2008 Aretha Franklin accepts the Vanguard Award onstage during the 39th NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2009 Aretha Franklin and Josh Groban perform during the Mandela Day Celebration Concert in New York City.
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2009 Aretha Franklin performs onstage at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2010 Aretha Franklin and Ron Isley perform with the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Mann Center for Performing Arts
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2010 Comedian Jamie Foxx leads singer Aretha Franklin to the stage as she is inducted into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2011 US President Barack Obama kisses Aretha Franklin as First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Jill Biden and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar applaud after Franklin performed at the dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2011 Aretha Franklin and Tony Bennett perform onstage
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2011 Aretha Franklin and Oprah Winfrey during the taping of the second to last Oprah Winfrey Show at the United Center in Chicago
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2011 Aretha Franklin performs to a SRO audience at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2012 Aretha Franklin and William Wilkerson attend the BET Honors 2012 Pre-Honors dinner at the Corcoran Gallery of Art
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2012 Aretha Franklin performs during the BET Honors 2012 at the Warner Theatre
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2012 Aretha Franklin performs onstage at the 10th Annual TV Land Awards at the Lexington Avenue Armory
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2013 Aretha Franklin performs during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the Ellipse near the White House in Washington
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2014 Reverend Al Sharpton and Aretha Franklin attend his 60th birthday celebration at the Four Seasons Restaurant
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2015 US President Barack Obama and outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder listen to singer Aretha Franklin at the Justice Department in Washington. The event marked Holder's anticipated departure after more than six years of service.
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2015 Pope Francis looks on as Aretha Franklin performs during the Festival of Families
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2016 Detroit native Aretha Franklin sings the National Anthem prior to the start of the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings game
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2017 Aretha Franklin performs during the "Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives" Premiere Concert
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Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2017 Aretha Franklin performs onstage at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Commemorates its 25th year
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Sir Paul McCartney wrote: “Let’s all take a moment to give thanks for the beautiful life of Aretha Franklin, the Queen of our souls, who inspired us all for many many years.”
In 1987, Franklin – who has sold over 75 million records worldwide – became the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The 18-time Grammy Award-winner’s other career highlights include a cameo appearance in cult classic The Blues Brothers (1980) and a 1998 performance in which she replaced opera singer Luciano Pavarotti in singing “Nessun Dorma” at the last minute.
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