Gladys Knight, Ledisi & More Tribute Aretha Franklin During AMAs Finale
By Hayden Brooks
October 10, 2018
The 2018 American Music Awards on Tuesday night (October 9) saved the best for last as a group of star-studded gospel luminaries like her granddaughter Gladys Knight, Ledisi, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, and CeCe Winans took to the stage to honor the late, great Aretha Franklin.
Prior for the emotional medley, a special montage aired looking back at the icon's impressive career, which spanned her early AMA show appearances to the moment she made President Obama shed some tears. During the finale gospel-charged number, which was produced by Rickey Minor, each of the act went through soulful moments to tribute the late Queen of Soul, including touching renditions of "Amazing Grace", "Mary, Don't You Weep" and "How I Got Over."
Franklin passed away on August 16th "due to advance pancreatic cancer of the neuroendocrine type" in Detroit, where she was surrounded by her friends and family, as per the Associated Press. Her family released a statement, calling Franklin's death "one of the darkest moments of [their] lives." "We have lost the matriarch and rock of our family. The love she had for her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins knew no bounds," the statement read.
If you missed out on the star-studded award show, click here for a full list of winners from the annual ceremony, which saw Taylor Swift receive three more honors and become the most awarded female in the show's long-running history!
Our host @TraceeEllisRoss is back to introduce a touching tribute to the queen of soul and gospel legend, Aretha Franklin! #AMAs pic.twitter.com/6TvfT8oWS7
— American Music Awards (@AMAs) October 10, 2018
Aretha Franklin’s granddaughter Victoria watched Gladys Knight pay tribute to her grandmother with “Amazing Grace” on the #AMAs 😭❤️. #AMAsOn2 pic.twitter.com/RowQOX4AqK
— WSB-TV (@wsbtv) October 10, 2018
Photo: Getty Images