Aretha Franklin, whose bluesy and gospel-rooted singing earned her the title « the Queen of Soul, » will be remembered at her funeral in Detroit. Follow here for the latest.
New Bethel Baptist Church gave Aretha Franklin her start and on Thursday, she returned there.
From CNN’s Lisa Respers France
Aretha Franklin is wearing a long sequin gold gown and gold high-heels to match her gold casket for today’s funeral service at the Greater Grace Temple.
The more than five-hour funeral service is expected to be filled with musical performances and tributes for the legendary singer Aretha Franklin.
Here are a few of the speeches and performances we are expecting:
President Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton just walked into the sanctuary to a standing ovation. Bill Clinton is expected to speak just after noon.
Watch:
From CNN’s Oscar Holland
Dozens of pink Cadillac owners are paying a special tribute to the « Queen of Soul » by lining up their cars in Detroit for her funeral .
The tribute: These classic car owners are honoring Franklin’s 1985 hit single « Freeway of Love » — specifically the verse « We goin’ ridin’ on the freeway of love in my pink Cadillac. »
The display is being organized by Crisette Ellis, whose husband, Bishop Charles H. Ellis III, serves as pastor at the Greater Grace Temple, where the funeral will be held. Ellis told NPR that the idea was inspired by the way police line up their vehicles to honor fallen officers.
Watch:
From CNN’s Lisa France
Projected on the walls on either side of the sanctuary this morning are the words, “A Celebration Fit For The Queen.” And indeed it was.
The Queen of Soul was dressed all in gold.
In the church lobby beautiful floral arrangements from famous friends including Tony Bennett, Barbra Streisand and Diana Ross greeted attendees as soon as they walked in.
Early arrivals included Omarosa, Jennifer Holliday and Rev. Jesse Jackson, and the mood in the church was respectful and almost celebratory as people greeted each other with hugs.
The crowds filed past Franklin’s open casket and were directed to not linger.
Outside, a big screen was set up at a gas station up the street so fans could watch the service there, too.
From CNN’s Sandra Gonzalez
Stevie Wonder, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, Yolanda Adams and Jennifer Holliday will be among those performing at Aretha Franklin’s funeral.
Other artists who are set to perform include:
Holliday told CNN last week that she « idolized » Franklin her « whole life. »
Other tributes: Music producer Clive Davis is planning a tribute concert to honor the singer that will take place in November at Madison Square Garden.
Aretha Franklin, whose gospel-rooted singing and bluesy yet expansive delivery earned her the title » the Queen of Soul, » will be remembered at her funeral beginning at 10 a.m. ET at Detroit’s Greater Grace Temple. It’s scheduled to last five hours — but could go longer.
Franklin died Aug. 16 at her home in Detroit, Michigan, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 76.
The service will conclude a week of events in Franklin’s beloved city of Detroit, which has included her body lying in repose at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History so fans could pay their respects.
Franklin will be entombed at Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit.
