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Three soul singers — Fantasia Barrino-Taylor, Yolanda Adams and Andra Day — got together to pay a tribute to the ‘Queen of Soul’, the late Aretha Franklin at the 61st Grammy Awards here.

Franklin died on August 16, 2018, of pancreatic cancer of the neuroendocrine type at the age of 76.

In her honour, the three ladies sang Franklin’s 1968 song “Natural Woman” at the gala on Sunday, which was powerful enough to get a number of attendees to give a standing ovation.

Franklin was also one among the many music industry experts whose name featured in the In Memoriam segment.

Outgoing Recording Academy president Neil Portnow took the stage for his final traditional Grammy address, and shared his appreciation for those he has worked with over the years, before presenting the pre-recorded In Memoriam segment.

The montage featured photos and videos of those who have passed, underscored by select samples of some of the late stars’ music.

Joe Jackson, the late patriarch of the Jackson family, who managed the careers of his children, also found a mention. Jackson died of terminal pancreatic cancer in June at the age of 89.

Among others who were remembered were rapper Mac Miller, Swedish DJ and EDM producer Avicii, Buzzcocks rocker Pete Shelley, legendary jazz singer Nancy Wilson, Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Ed King, Blues Brothers guitarist Matt Murphy, Carol Channing, and Jefferson Airplane co-founder Marty Balin.

–IANS
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