“Queen of Soul” is dead at age of 76

ARETHA FRANKLIN, the “Queen of Soul,” in 2007 (Wikipedia).

Aretha Franklin, the “Queen of Soul,” died at age 76 in her home in Detroit on Thursday.

Her publicist made the announcement, saying the cause of death was advanced pancreatic cancer.

Franklin was famous for her gospel-flavored pop music songs, including “Think,” “A Natural Woman” and “Respect.” Later in her career in the 1980s, she had a major hit with her “Who’s Zoomin’ Who” album.

She received 18 Grammy awards, and was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Franklin had over 100 single recordings make the Billboard charts. She sang at the inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2009 and at the funeral of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1968.