Star-Studded Musical Tribute Saluting Aretha Franklin Will Be Held August 30, at Chene Park Detroit Amphitheatre

More than 20 performing artists, activists and family members will celebrate the life and legacy of Aretha Louise Franklin, known as the Queen of Soul, during a Musical Tribute event at Chene Park Amphitheatre in downtown Detroit on Thursday, August 30, 2018 from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Leading artists representing many musical genres – R&B, Gospel, Jazz, Hip-Hop –  are slated to perform tributes. Activists will speak about Ms. Franklin's profound role in feminism and civil rights. The participant list in formation includes:

Cherri Black

Dee Dee Bridgewater

Doug Carn

Jean Carne

Kurt Carr

Steffinie Christian

Angela Davis

Raheem DeVaughn

George Faison

Minister Louis Farrakhan

Gwen Foxx

The Four Tops

Eddie Franklin

Gracie Franklin

Victorie Franklin

Johnny Gill

Beth Griffith-Manley

Kimmie Horne

Santita Jackson

Dr. Bobby Jones

KIKO

Alise King

Gladys Knight

L'Renee

Jenifer Lewis

Tasha Page-Lockhart

LJ Reynolds

KiKi Sheard

Angie Stone

Ralphe Armstrong Band and Kern Brantley Band will accompany the celebrants. Other participants will be announced once confirmed. 

Sabrina V. Garrett Owens, personal representative of the Aretha Franklin estate, said upon the announcement of the musical tribute: "On behalf of the family, thank you to those paying tribute and celebrating the life of Aretha. We are grateful for the tremendous outpouring of love and support we have received from friends, supporters and fans all around the world."

  

The Musical Tribute will be part of a four-day celebration of Ms. Franklin's life and career. Her body will lie in repose at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit for public viewing August 28th and 29th. A private, invitation-only funeral for close family and friends will be held August 31st morning at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit.

The musical tribute event will be held at Chene Park Amphitheatre, where Ms. Franklin performed in August 2015. Many of the artists participating in the tribute event have also performed at the renowned riverfront venue.

Uniquely located on an international waterway with Canada as its backdrop, Chene Park Amphitheatre's seating design and intimate rapport between participants and attendees will create a fitting tribute atmosphere for the Queen.