Shock and concern have spread around the music world overnight following reports that soul singing great Aretha Franklin is "gravely ill".
Franklin, 76, is reportedly surrounded by her family and close friends in Detroit. The family is asking for prayers and privacy.
A source who has known Franklin since the start of her career told The Telegraph that Franklin's absence from the spotlight since the end of last year was "uncharacteristic".
The news was broken by Roger Friedman, a friend of Franklin's, on the entertainment website Showbiz411.
"Something's been happening with her health," a source told The Telegraph. "She's missed several high profile public engagements in recent months, including the funeral of Dennis Edwards, who was one of her lovers. It's uncharacteristic of her."
Edwards, who was a member of The Temptations, inspired Franklin's song Day Dreaming. In February, reports said she was unable to attend the memorial due illness but sent her condolences to be read to the family.
Evrod Cassimy, a reporter in Detroit and a close friend of the family, posted on Twitter that he had spoken to Franklin's family members this morning. "I am so saddened to report that the Queen of Soul and my good friend, Aretha Franklin is gravely ill", he posted. "I’ll have more details as I’m allowed to release."
DETROIT - Aretha Franklin, "The Queen of Soul," is gravely ill, her family told Local 4 on Monday.
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
Update: Aretha Franklin: 'Resting and surrounded by family and friends'
Franklin, 76, was born in Memphis, Tenn. in 1942, the daughter of the famous pastor and civil rights activist C. L. Franklin. When Aretha was just 2 the family left Memphis for New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, and a Motor City legend was ready to be born.
Related: Tributes, prayers pour in for 'Queen of Soul' Aretha Franklin
Franklin has the third-most Grammy Awards for any female artist in history.
In an interview last year, Franklin said she had plans to "retire" after the release of her new album.
"I must tell you, I am retiring this year," Franklin said.
Franklin said she was "exuberant" about her new album and "can't wait to get in the studio." The album was released in September, with a tour that included only select dates. She wouldn't have more than one date planned per month, and the full tour was to last "maybe for six months," she said at the time.
Franklin spent 56 years as a legendary singer and songwriter.
"This will be my last year," Franklin said. "I will be recording, but this will be my last year in concert. This is it."
She was not retiring completely. She said she would do "some select things, many one a month, for six months out of the year." But she said her grandchildren are leaving for college and she wants to spend time with them.
MORE: Quick facts about Aretha Franklin, 'The Queen of Soul'
Franklin said the announcement is bittersweet because "it's what I've done all of my life."
"I feel very, very enriched and satisfied with respect to where my career came from, and where it is now," Franklin said. "I'll be pretty much satisfied, but I'm not going to go anywhere and just sit down and do nothing. That wouldn't be good either."
Franklin said since she's been extremely active throughout her career, it wouldn't be good for her to just sit down and do nothing, so that's why "she's keeping the one or two concerts in every month or so."
She also talked about what to expect in the new album.
"Of course, several of the songs are going to be produced by Stevie (Wonder), and of course there's only one Stevie, right?" Franklin said.
She said she couldn't wait for the new CD, which goes in several different directions.
"It's kind of multi-(directional)," she said. "We're not pigeonholed to any one thing."
Franklin said was recording exclusively in Detroit.
"I keep my business in Detroit, or as close to Detroit as possible," Franklin said.
Here is her performance in Detroit on Sept. 5, 2011:
Copyright 2018 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.
Image caption The star's albums include Lady Soul and I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You
Aretha Franklin is "seriously ill", according to a person close to the veteran soul singer.
The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed to the Associated Press that Franklin was gravely unwell.
The 76-year-old cancelled planned concerts earlier this year due to health concerns and was ordered by doctors to rest for two months.
Last year Franklin indicated her plans to retire from touring following the release of a new album.
Separately, celebrity website TMZ has also reported that a "long-time friend was told a week ago 'prepare yourself, she's dying.'"
Skip Twitter post by @TMZ Source close to Aretha and a longtime friend tells TMZ he was told a week ago, "Prepare yourself, she's dying." The source adds Aretha was down to 86 pounds and her health was failing. The source says 2 weeks ago everyone in Aretha's circle was told "she could go any time." — TMZ (@TMZ) August 13, 2018 Report
Franklin, whose career spans seven decades, is best known for songs including Respect and (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.
The 18-time Grammy winner is one of the best-selling artists of all time and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
In 2017, Franklin told a local Detroit news station that she would be retiring after collaborating on a new album with Stevie Wonder.
"I will be recording, but this will be my last year in concert," she told WDIV Local 4. "This is it."
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