Beyoncé And Jay-Z's Detroit Tour Stop Was All About Aretha Franklin
Ailing soul legend Aretha Franklin was in many people’s thoughts at the Detroit stop of Beyoncé and Jay-Z’s On The Run II tour on Monday night.
Warmup act DJ Khaled whipped the crowd at Ford Field in Franklin’s hometown into a frenzy by playing her iconic track “Respect.” Hours earlier, reports surfaced saying the 76-year-old Queen of Soul was seriously ill.
Beyoncé dedicated the whole show to Franklin.
“We love you and thank you,” she told the audience, per the Detroit Free Press. She described Franklin’s music as “beautiful.”
After performing the opening song with Jay-Z, Beyoncé said: “This show is dedicated to Aretha Franklin,” while also saying, “We love you and thank you” #OTII #Detroit
— Ford Field (@fordfield) August 14, 2018
Under doctors’ orders to rest and recuperate, Franklin canceled a raft of concerts earlier this year. The news of her worsened condition sparked an outpouring of love on Twitter from celebrities:
My prayers are with Aretha Franklin & her family during this difficult time 🙏🏾 LOOK BELOW @ what I tweeted at the top of the year we MUST CELEBRATE the Living Legends while they are here to see it. So many have given us decades of Timeless music...❤️ https://t.co/VVacLxcMSI
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) August 13, 2018
Like people all around the world, Hillary and I are thinking about Aretha Franklin tonight & listening to her music that has been such an important part of our lives the last 50 years. We hope you’ll lift her up by listening and sharing her songs that have meant the most to you.
— Bill Clinton (@BillClinton) August 14, 2018
I say a little Prayer for you, Aretha. GOD Save the Queen of Soul. Much Love and R.E.S.P.E.C.T! #Arethafranklin #respect #PrayersForAretha
— Mr. T (@MrT) August 14, 2018
🙏🏽 for Aretha Franklin pic.twitter.com/bsGDqCLaFr
— Big Boi (@BigBoi) August 14, 2018
‘Say a Little Prayer’ the great Aretha Franklin https://t.co/yrWHyUvfTk pic.twitter.com/hmYgw5FERS
— Mia Farrow (@MiaFarrow) August 14, 2018
My Prayers to Aretha Franklin and her family! It's been reported that the Queen of Soul is gravely ill!
Continued prayers to you! 🙏🏼 pic.twitter.com/2jCBi2VfM4— La Toya Jackson (@latoyajackson) August 13, 2018
Pray for the Queen, Aretha Franklin, a true warrior and my dear friend. pic.twitter.com/NGltlXONDY
— Reverend Al Sharpton (@TheRevAl) August 13, 2018
Praying for Aretha Franklin and her family right now! ❤️🙏🏽
— Ciara (@ciara) August 13, 2018
Adding my prayer to the galaxy of prayers for Aretha today https://t.co/DsG1ccqKnC
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) August 13, 2018
I am so sorry to hear of Aretha’s failing health. She is not just the Queen of Soul; Aretha is an American Treasure. I am praying that she recovers and for the peace & hope of those closest to her. @ArethaFranklin #arethafranklin #aretha #queenofsoul #americantreasure pic.twitter.com/Ipu8Z56C5t
— Gloria Gaynor (@gloriagaynor) August 14, 2018
CHAKA KHAN - RESPECT - 💜💜 ARETHA FRANKLIN
I fall asleep tonight with a heavy heart & a prayer for my soul sister 🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿https://t.co/0WOKwNw0VX #ArethaFranklin— Chaka Khan (@ChakaKhan) August 14, 2018
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This article originally appeared on HuffPost.