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Aretha Franklin to retire from music and spend more time with her grandchildren

Aretha Franklin to retire from music and spend more time with her grandchildren

By Lena Reece
14/08/2018
Aretha Franklin performs at the world premiere of "Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives" at Radio City Music Hall, during the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival in New York[Photo:CBS News]

Soul legend Aretha Franklin says she plans to retire from music to spend more time with her grandchildren.

The 76‑year‑old said she would record one final album with Stevie Wonder before stepping out of the limelight.

The Queen Of Soul told a Detroit TV station that she will be retiring this year, adding that she felt "exuberant" about her plans.

One of the most distinctive voices in popular music, she is known for hits including Respect and Dr Feelgood.

Among her career highlights are, more than 20 number one singles in the US, first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, won the Grammy for best R&B vocal performance for eight consecutive years from 1968 to 1975 and she was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W Bush in 2005.

Franklin has been performing since she was 19, but has been suffering from ill health in recent years and has since slowed down her once‑prolific tour schedule.

[Source:CNN]

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