Aretha Franklin Is 'Gravely Ill'; Friends, Family Offer Prayers

DETROIT, MI – With reports that legendary soul singer Aretha Franklin is "gravely ill," friends and family far and near have offered prayers for "Queen of Soul." Music fans tweeted out links to their favorite songs and well wishes.

Among those sending thoughts and prayers via Twitter was Mariah Carey, who tweeted, "Praying for the Queen of Soul." Hip hop star Missy Elliott tweeted out, "My prayers are with Aretha Franklin & her family during this difficult time ... we MUST CELEBRATE the Living Legends while they are here to see it."

Detroit Mayor Michael Duggan also offered kind words for Franklin. "She is so much a part of this city, and our thoughts and prayers are with her and the family today,” he said.

News of Franklin declining health was first reported late Sunday. On Monday morning, WDIV anchor Evrod Cassimy reported Franklin's family spoke with him and they said she was ill. He said he would provide more details from the family when possible.

Franklin, a 1987 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, is the queen of the Motown sound. She was born March 25, 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee, and grew up in Detroit. She got her musical start in the church choir in the New Bethel Baptist Church, where her father, the Reve. C.L. Franklin, was pastor.

As a young singer, Franklin drew from influences such blues and jazz legends as Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington and Sarah Vaughn, and inspired by male singers Ray Charles, Nat King Cole and Sam Cooke, according to her biography at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Subscribe to Patch for more regional news and real-time alerts.

Her musical resume is gigantic. She has a swath of hits, from "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," "Chain Of Fools," and perhaps her most famous, "Respect," an Otis Redding-written song that she reworked.

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Photo: Singer Aretha Franklin performs the national anthem before the Detroit Pistons take on the Los Angeles Lakers in game five of the 2004 NBA Finals on June 15, 2004 at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Auburn Hills, Michigan. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)