Aretha Franklin Dead at 76: Social Media Reactions

Remember when she stepped in last minute for Pavarotti at the Grammys and just shook us all to our core and made us question the universe by singing Nessun Dorma? #RipArethaFranklin https://t.co/Fg5tbxpl9R

— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) August 16, 2018

Deeply saddened by the passing of a beloved friend and queen/warrior Aretha Franklin. Her contributions are legendary both personally and societally. We hope you take a pause today to remember the life of a beautiful soul. pic.twitter.com/ce4ht2g0ha

— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) August 16, 2018

August 16th....music's day of giant passings:
1977 --Elvis Presley
2018 --Aretha Franklin

— Kelly O'Donnell (@KellyO) August 16, 2018

Aretha Franklin performing "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" at last year's festival. Good singers come and go, but magnificent, once-in-a-lifetime talent lives forever. #RIP to The Queen. pic.twitter.com/Tyt7lHmjW6

— Tribeca (@Tribeca) August 16, 2018

The wondrous chorus of America at its best has lost a powerful voice. Aretha Franklin shook the heavens and our own complacency with her spirit and by tackling life with power and purpose. #Respect

— Dan Rather (@DanRather) August 16, 2018

Aretha Franklin has died at 76. She inspired generations with hits such as "Respect," "Natural Woman" and "Think" that stood as symbols of black and female empowerment https://t.co/a9Z8e6qmYA pic.twitter.com/Er7FEoXejc

— CNN International (@cnni) August 16, 2018

Today, we remember Aretha Franklin, the "Queen of Soul" and an honorary degree recipient at our 2014 Commencement ceremony. Her live performance of “The Star-Spangled Banner” was a truly memorable experience. pic.twitter.com/IzFz4IF0GN

— Harvard University (@Harvard) August 16, 2018

I’m sitting in prayer for the wonderful golden spirit Aretha Franklin.

— Ms. Ross (@DianaRoss) August 16, 2018

Lucky enough to have seen Aretha live exactly once, and this was it.
Thank you for the music, we will be listening to you forever https://t.co/aMHIBFaTAs

— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) August 16, 2018

RIP ARETHA. There Will never be another ..Thank you for giving us all of you!!

— Bernadette Peters (@OfficialBPeters) August 16, 2018

#RIPAretha. Here is the iconic opening of #Wrestlemania 3. #WWE pic.twitter.com/se637cCRmC

— NoDQ.com - WWE Summerslam news #Summerslam (@nodqdotcom) August 16, 2018

RIP Aretha Franklin https://t.co/6iaZMmKn2N

— Jake Tapper (@jaketapper) August 16, 2018

So sad. Aretha Franklin, the queen of soul has passed away. Our prayers and condolences to family, friends and fans.

— Gene Simmons (@genesimmons) August 16, 2018

Let’s all take a moment to give thanks for the beautiful life of Aretha Franklin, the Queen of our souls, who inspired us all for many many years. She will be missed but the memory of her greatness as a musician and a fine human being will live with us forever. Love Paul pic.twitter.com/jW4Gpwfdts

— Paul McCartney (@PaulMcCartney) August 16, 2018

Aretha Franklin and her father, Rev. C. L. Franklin, have meant so much to our city for generations of Detroiters. While she may have passed, Aretha Franklin will always have the key to our hearts. pic.twitter.com/dT4ZeuSmwn

— Mayor Mike Duggan (@MayorMikeDuggan) August 16, 2018

Goodbye Ms. Aretha. You were my idol. The greatest singer of all time. Every note you sang was pure and authentic and pierced our hearts with joy and pain and life.

— Idina Menzel (@idinamenzel) August 16, 2018

God bless Aretha Franklin the queen of soul and peace and love to her family ????✌????????????????☮

— #RingoStarr (@ringostarrmusic) August 16, 2018

Aretha Franklin’s contributions toward the civil rights movement shouldn’t go unnoticed. She helped activists post bail, supported organizers financially, toured with MLK across the U.S. #ArethaFranklin pic.twitter.com/lV7QpwjyPL

— Philip Lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) August 16, 2018

What a life. What a legacy!
So much love, respect and gratitude.
R.I.P. @ArethaFranklin https://t.co/400K1U5IHI

— Carole King (@Carole_King) August 16, 2018

The world won’t be the same without you in it.
You will always have our utmost respect. #RipArethaFranklin pic.twitter.com/0DMI3PZfjI

— Lena Waithe (@LenaWaithe) August 16, 2018

Feeling overwhelmingly sad. Thank you Aretha Franklin for the gift of your voice and your soul. Rest in peace.

— Lester Holt (@LesterHoltNBC) August 16, 2018

As the One and Only ‘ Queen of Soul ‘ Aretha Franklin was simply peerless. She has reigned supreme, and will always be held in the highest firmament of stars as the most exceptional vocalist, performer and recording artist the world has ever been privileged to witness (1/3)

— Annie Lennox (@AnnieLennox) August 16, 2018

Superlatives are often used to describe astonishing singers.. but in my view, even superlatives cannot be sufficient.

Everyone who loved her will be saying little prayers of gratitude, respect and appreciation for the musical life force that enriched our lives (2/3)

— Annie Lennox (@AnnieLennox) August 16, 2018

Her voice will soar forever https://t.co/xoFcotNzev
(3/3)

— Annie Lennox (@AnnieLennox) August 16, 2018

The loss of @ArethaFranklin is a blow for everybody who loves real music: Music from the heart, the soul and the Church. Her voice was unique, her piano playing underrated – she was one of my favourite pianists. pic.twitter.com/ug5oZYywAz

— Elton John (@eltonofficial) August 16, 2018

I’m absolutely devastated by Aretha’s passing. She was truly one of a kind. She was more than the Queen of Soul. She was a national treasure to be cherished by every generation throughout the world. (1/2)

— Clive Davis (@CliveDavis) August 16, 2018

Apart from our long professional relationship, Aretha was my friend. Her loss is deeply profound and my heart is full of sadness. (2/2)

— Clive Davis (@CliveDavis) August 16, 2018

It was a double thrill for me to perform on the stage of the Metropolitan Opera on my 85th birthday and have the Queen of Soul (and heart) Aretha Franklin singing with me....she will be missed by the world. pic.twitter.com/74VM9IYejI

— Tony Bennett (@itstonybennett) August 16, 2018

Very sad to hear the news about Aretha, she was so inspiring and wherever you were she always brought you to church. pic.twitter.com/GMCzQRkahc

— The Rolling Stones (@RollingStones) August 16, 2018