Arts & Entertainment
Report: Aretha Franklin’s family and friends say she is ‘gravely ill’
The Queen of Soul is said to be surrounded by family and friends
Aretha Franklin (Photo courtesy of Project Publicity)
Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin is said to be “gravely ill,” according to her family and friends.
Showbiz 411 columnist Roger Friedman first reported on Sunday that Franklin is “gravely ill” and that her family and friends are “asking for prayers and privacy.”
Detroit news anchor Evrod Cassimy confirmed Franklin’s health condition tweeting,”I am so saddened to report that the Queen of Soul and my good friend, Aretha Franklin is gravely ill. I spoke with her family members this morning. She is asking for your prayers at this time. I’ll have more details as I’m allowed to release.”
BREAKING NEWS: I am so saddened to report that the Queen of Soul and my good friend, Aretha Franklin is gravely ill. I spoke with her family members this morning. She is asking for your prayers at this time. I’ll have more details as I’m allowed to release.
— Evrod Cassimy (@EvrodCassimy) August 13, 2018
A source told Us Weekly that Franklin is “comfortable at home” but her “body is breaking down.” The singer is reportedly “hanging in there, but recovery is not looking likely.”
Radio host Tom Joyner, who is a close friend of Franklin’s, confirmed to the Detroit News that Franklin is in hospice care. An anonymous source also told the Associated Press that Franklin is “seriously ill.”
In February 2017, Franklin officially announced her retirement to Detroit TV station WDIV Local 4 saying: “I am retiring this year. I will be recording, but this will be my last year in concert. This is it.”
However, she did have plans to perform for “some select things” in the future.
Those select performances included a show in Newark, New Jersey in March on her 76th birthday and a show at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in April. Both shows were canceled due to doctor’s orders that she rest. The condition of her health was not announced at that time.
Franklin’s last performance was at Elton John’s annual AIDS Foundation gala in November 2017.
Her most recent project is an album collaboration with Stevie Wonder which is expected to be released in November.
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Looking back at 50 years of Pride in D.C
Washington Blade’s unique archives chronicle highs, lows of our movement
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of LGBTQ Pride in Washington, D.C., the Washington Blade team combed our archives and put together a glossy magazine showcasing five decades of celebrations in the city. Below is a sampling of images from the magazine but be sure to find a print copy starting this week.
The magazine is being distributed now and is complimentary. You can find copies at LGBTQ bars and restaurants across the city. Or visit the Blade booth at the Pride festival on June 7 and 8 where we will distribute copies.
Thank you to our advertisers and sponsors, whose support has enabled us to distribute the magazine free of charge. And thanks to our dedicated team at the Blade, especially Photo Editor Michael Key, who spent many hours searching the archives for the best images, many of which are unique to the Blade and cannot be found elsewhere. And thanks to our dynamic production team of Meaghan Juba, who designed the magazine, and Phil Rockstroh who managed the process. Stephen Rutgers and Brian Pitts handled sales and marketing and staff writers Lou Chibbaro Jr., Christopher Kane, Michael K. Lavers, Joe Reberkenny along with freelancer and former Blade staffer Joey DiGuglielmo wrote the essays.
The magazine represents more than 50 years of hard work by countless reporters, editors, advertising sales reps, photographers, and other media professionals who have brought you the Washington Blade since 1969.
We hope you enjoy the magazine and keep it as a reminder of all the many ups and downs our local LGBTQ community has experienced over the past 50 years.
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The fourth annual Equality Prince William Pride was held at the Harris Pavilion in Manassas, Va. on Saturday, May 17.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
The Washington Blade held its 18th annual Summer Kickoff Party in Rehoboth Beach, Del., on Friday, May 16. Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer spoke along with State Sen. Russ Huxtable, CAMP Rehoboth Executive Director Kim Leisey, Blade Editor Kevin Naff, and Clear Space Theatre Managing Director Joe Gfaller. The event raises funds for the Steve Elkins Memorial Fellowship in Journalism, which was awarded to AU student Abigail Hatting.
(Washington Blade photos by Daniel Truitt)
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