Paul McCartney‏ called Franklin an inspiration and “the Queen of our souls,” while Diana Ross hailed her “wonderful golden spirit.”

Fellow soul superstar Patti LaBelle praised Franklin as “a rare treasure whose unmatched musical genius helped craft the soundtrack to the lives of so many.”

Franklin — who was widely known by only her first name, in true diva style — rose from singing gospel in her father’s church to regularly topping rhythm and blues and pop charts in the 1960s and 1970s. , Detroit, United States, Aug 16 – Aretha Franklin, the music icon, legendary singer and “Queen of Soul” loved by millions whose history-making career spanned six decades, died on Thursday, her longtime publicist announced. "

Health issues derailed her late career

Franklin battled health issues in recent years, struggling with weight gain and associated ailments. She soon signed to Arista Records and her 1982 album “Jump To It” was a hit on the R&B charts, earning her another Grammy nomination. As her star continued to rise, Franklin won eight consecutive Grammy Awards for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, the last one for "Ain't Nothing Like the Real Thing" in 1974. Other than “Respect,” her powerful cover of the Otis Redding tune that became a feminist anthem and her calling card, Franklin had dozens of Top 40 singles, according to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 1968 Franklin performed "Precious Lord" at the funeral of slain civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. Later that year, she sang the national anthem to kick off the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. Hide Caption 5 of 6 Photos: Aretha Franklin and US presidents Franklin performs at the Inaugural Gala for President Jimmy Carter on January 20, 1977. Hide Caption 20 of 37 Photos: 'The Queen of Soul': Aretha Franklin in photos Former President George W. Bush presented Franklin with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, in 2005. She saw a number of resurgences in the past three decades and her image as a pop icon endured, with President Barack Obama featuring her singing "My Country 'Tis of Thee" at his inauguration in 2009. But it was at Detroit’s New Bethel Baptist Church, where her father was pastor, that Franklin learned the gospel fundamentals that would make her a soul institution. Aretha Franklin was born on March 25, 1942, in Memphis, the daughter of pastor and civil rights activist Clarence La Vaughan “CL” Franklin and gospel singer Barbara Siggers Franklin. Hide Caption 5 of 37 Photos: 'The Queen of Soul': Aretha Franklin in photos Aretha Franklin sits for a portrait with her father, Baptist preacher 'CL' (born Clarence LaVaughn), and her sister, fellow singer, Carolyn, in New York in 1971. (Photo by ... more

Portrait of American singer Aretha Franklin, her father, Baptist preacher CL Franklin, and her sister her sister, fellow singer Carolyn, New York, 1971. She earned the love and respect of millions of people, not just for herself, but for the city she loved so dearly and called home. But it’s hard to think of another song where all those elements are combined.”

Franklin had decided she wanted to “embellish” the R&B song written by Otis Redding, whose version had been a modest hit in 1965, Wexler said. I went to the cashier and said, ‘Did you see Aretha in the produce aisles?’ She said, ‘She’s always here.’ She was down to earth, she was unassuming, she was wonderful to work with.”

“Because it’s the queen, you do what she says,” Bryson told CNN Thursday. She influenced generations of female singers with unforgettable hits including “Respect” (1967), “Natural Woman” (1968) and “I Say a Little Prayer” (1968). JUST WATCHED 7 things you should know about Aretha Franklin Replay More Videos ... MUST WATCH 7 things you should know about Aretha Franklin 01:54

The hits kept coming throughout the early 1970s, including "Spanish Harlem" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water."
American soul singer and songwriter Aretha Franklin dies at the age of 76.