saw someone post on facebook that she's passed away, but apparently just misinformation from what i can tell.

[Edited 12/8/10 18:35pm]

NoVideo said:

seeing reports on Facebook that she's passed away... any confirm?

WHAT?!

Timmy84 said:

NoVideo said:

seeing reports on Facebook that she's passed away... any confirm?

WHAT?!

see my edit above - apparently misinformation.

NoVideo said:

Timmy84 said:

WHAT?!

see my edit above - apparently misinformation.

Thanks. You scared me for a minute.

Timmy84 said:

NoVideo said:

see my edit above - apparently misinformation.

Thanks. You scared me for a minute.

sorry about that as soon as i realized there was nothing about it on any other site, i tried to edit it immediately. looks like someone heard about the cancer and was just confused, he's since deleted his post.

this is how internet rumours get started, ugh.

hopefully Aretha will be with us for many years to come.

NoVideo said:

Timmy84 said:

Thanks. You scared me for a minute.

sorry about that as soon as i realized there was nothing about it on any other site, i tried to edit it immediately. looks like someone heard about the cancer and was just confused, he's since deleted his post.

this is how internet rumours get started, ugh.

hopefully Aretha will be with us for many years to come.

I hope so too. Her family says she's doing well despite the diagnosis and that she'll be back to perform. Somehow I wanna believe that she'll perform (she cancelled all engagements until next May) but you know how things go. I wish her and her family well.

NewsFlash!!!!!!!!!!!!! Aretha in her own words

She sounds drowsy but optimistic. I hope she gets some good news on her test results....

[Edited 12/8/10 19:14pm]

http://www.thesun.co.uk/s...s-say.html

QUEEN of soul ARETHA FRANKLIN is fighting cancer and has less than a year to live, it was reported yesterday.

It was reported in the Sun so i don't know how reliable this is tho.

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

NewsFlash!!!!!!!!!!!!! Aretha in her own words

She sounds drowsy but optimistic. I hope she gets some good news on her test results....

[Edited 12/8/10 19:14pm]

Thanks for that. Yeah she does sound optimistic.

I don't believe that year to live crap.

But she did say they're waiting on the prognosis so that's telling.

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

NewsFlash!!!!!!!!!!!!! Aretha in her own words

She sounds drowsy but optimistic. I hope she gets some good news on her test results....

[Edited 12/8/10 19:14pm]

Seems that she said, "I just got home Saturday..." - so if that is the case, this must be when she first was in the hospital She sounded sad too me.

Get better Queen of Soul!

RnBAmbassador said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

NewsFlash!!!!!!!!!!!!! Aretha in her own words

She sounds drowsy but optimistic. I hope she gets some good news on her test results....

[Edited 12/8/10 19:14pm]

Seems that she said, "I just got home Saturday..." - so if that is the case, this must be when she first was in the hospital She sounded sad too me.

Get better Queen of Soul!

Hmm I have to hear it again... but if she did say "Saturday", this must've been in November. Ironically it was uploaded today though.

here's hoping the The Queen Of Soul stays with us.

note to self: watch The Blues Brothers this weekend.

Well wishes for Aretha Franklin

World worries about the Queen of Soul

By BRIAN McCOLLUM and CASSANDRA SPRATLING
Free Press Pop Music Writers

Amid grim reports and with details hard to come by, at least one thing about Aretha Franklin was clear Wednesday: The world is worried about the Queen of Soul.

Franklin has pancreatic cancer, according to a variety of reports and a source who told the Free Press that the Detroit star was diagnosed with that form of cancer. Fans across the globe voiced dismay while paying tribute to the iconic 68-year-old singer.

In Detroit, as family members remained tight-lipped about the specifics of her illness, one longtime associate said the prospect of losing Franklin had sent shock waves through the music world.

“This would be as tragic as it gets,” said Brian Pastoria, a Detroit studio operator who has handled many of Franklin’s recording sessions. “Aretha has inspired so many artists, so many people, all while being such a great ambassador for Detroit. I hope she can miraculously beat this, because we need her spirit moving forward.”

As reports circulated Wednesday, Franklin’s family members would not address the nature of her illness. But two of her closest relatives insisted to the Free Press that she’s doing well as she recovers from surgery last week.

Franklin has often said that Christmas is her favorite time of year, and it looks as if she may get to spend the holiday at home: Cousin Brenda Corbett, who has visited Franklin regularly since her hospitalization, said the singer expects to be released from the hospital this weekend.

“Aretha is doing better than doctors expected,” Corbett said. “She has a long life in front of her and will be back in concert, on stage, late spring or early summer.” The source who confirmed Franklin’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis to the Free Press — echoing other anonymously sourced media reports — said that doctors “will monitor and keep a close eye on it from here on out.” The source requested anonymity. Others close to the Detroit singer emphasized the 68-year-old star’s desire for privacy.

A National Enquirer report early Wednesday had accelerated fans’ anxiety by noting that pancreatic cancer has only a 5%-10% overall survival rate.

Referring to the Enquirer report, Corbett said, “This girl is doing great, and they need to stop it.”

Franklin’s sister-in-law Earline Franklin refused to discuss the Enquirer report at all, saying only: “Aretha is doing absolutely wonderful. All the prayers and well wishes have supported her, and she’s doing well.”

Wednesday’s reports followed several weeks of mystery regarding Aretha Franklin’s condition.

After a late October stay at Sinai-Grace Hospital in Detroit for undisclosed reasons, she was ordered by doctors to cancel all public appearances for the next six months. In the weeks that followed, Franklin and her spokeswoman remained tight-lipped, declining to elaborate even as Franklin headed to another Detroit hospital for last week’s surgery.

With few details to go on, fans speculated about Franklin’s status. On the Internet and radio call-in shows, many said the lack of information from Franklin’s camp suggested the scenario was grim.

Around Detroit, rumors circulated that the singer had cancer, but until the National Enquirer’s report, no details had emerged.

Even as Wednesday’s anonymous reports lit up the Internet and made their way onto network news programs, Franklin declined to issue a statement.

Unlike most stars of her stature, Franklin has little formal infrastructure around her. She has no manager or full-time business staff, opting to handle many duties on her own — even often booking her own concerts. Last month she hired a new publicist, the latest in a series of spokespeople over the years.

Asked why Franklin is being so secretive about her illness and last week’s medical procedure, Corbett said Franklin is a private person despite her celebrity.

“It’s her private business, and she’s just not ready to talk about it. Give her time to heal. When people ask for their privacy, respect them for that.”

Friends and fans in Detroit and around the world said Franklin is in their thoughts.

“I’m just requesting prayers from the saints of God,” said gospel singer and evangelist Dorinda Clark Cole, who headlined Franklin’s Thanksgiving Day gospel feast and fest at the New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, a church once pastored by Franklin’s father, the Rev. C. L. Franklin.

Contact BRIAN McCOLLUM: 313-223-4450 or mccollum@freepress.com or CASSANDRA SPRATLING: cspratling@freepress.com or 313-223-4580.

Read more: Well wishes for Aretha Franklin | freep.com | Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/article/20101208/ENT04/101208035/Well-wishes-for-Aretha-Franklin#ixzz17aKSo4AV

[Edited 12/8/10 20:20pm]

[Edited 12/8/10 20:22pm]

I don't like this at all.

Timmy84 said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

NewsFlash!!!!!!!!!!!!! Aretha in her own words

She sounds drowsy but optimistic. I hope she gets some good news on her test results....

[Edited 12/8/10 19:14pm]

Thanks for that. Yeah she does sound optimistic.

I don't believe that year to live crap.

Ur welcome..........

musicjunky318 said:

I don't like this at all.

I second that... the video doesnt say alot but it speaks volumes to me...

banks said:

musicjunky318 said:

I don't like this at all.

I second that... the video doesnt say alot but it speaks volumes to me...

And the continued need for privacy is even more worrisome when I read the new Freep report. No one in her family is totally denying it but they request the situation to remain private.

Just found this, sorry if posted before.

Aretha Franklin Has Cancer, Family Confirms

Aretha Franklin is battling cancer, a family friend has announced to FOX 2 News in Detroit.

According to the report, family and friends close to the Queen of Soul are "very concerned," but say she is doing "okay." Family expressed hopes to FOX that fans of Aretha, 68, will send prayers and good thoughts...

More here: http://www.popeater.com/2...in-cancer/

Rhyging said:

Just found this, sorry if posted before.

Aretha Franklin Has Cancer, Family Confirms

Aretha Franklin is battling cancer, a family friend has announced to FOX 2 News in Detroit.

According to the report, family and friends close to the Queen of Soul are "very concerned," but say she is doing "okay." Family expressed hopes to FOX that fans of Aretha, 68, will send prayers and good thoughts...

More here: http://www.popeater.com/2...in-cancer/

Yeah it's posted already.

Thanks though.

Oh yeah USA Today updated their story with the Detroit Free Press confirming Aretha's cancer diagnosis.

Timmy84 said:

Rhyging said:

Just found this, sorry if posted before.

Aretha Franklin Has Cancer, Family Confirms

Aretha Franklin is battling cancer, a family friend has announced to FOX 2 News in Detroit.

According to the report, family and friends close to the Queen of Soul are "very concerned," but say she is doing "okay." Family expressed hopes to FOX that fans of Aretha, 68, will send prayers and good thoughts...

More here: http://www.popeater.com/2...in-cancer/

Yeah it's posted already.

Thanks though.

Oh yeah USA Today updated their story with the Detroit Free Press confirming Aretha's cancer diagnosis.

Damn. I am so sorry to hear it. That has taken out so many in my famiy before their time... My prayers are with her.

Timmy84 said:

Well wishes for Aretha Franklin

World worries about the Queen of Soul

By BRIAN McCOLLUM and CASSANDRA SPRATLING
Free Press Pop Music Writers

Amid grim reports and with details hard to come by, at least one thing about Aretha Franklin was clear Wednesday: The world is worried about the Queen of Soul.

Franklin has pancreatic cancer, according to a variety of reports and a source who told the Free Press that the Detroit star was diagnosed with that form of cancer. Fans across the globe voiced dismay while paying tribute to the iconic 68-year-old singer.

In Detroit, as family members remained tight-lipped about the specifics of her illness, one longtime associate said the prospect of losing Franklin had sent shock waves through the music world.

“This would be as tragic as it gets,” said Brian Pastoria, a Detroit studio operator who has handled many of Franklin’s recording sessions. “Aretha has inspired so many artists, so many people, all while being such a great ambassador for Detroit. I hope she can miraculously beat this, because we need her spirit moving forward.”

As reports circulated Wednesday, Franklin’s family members would not address the nature of her illness. But two of her closest relatives insisted to the Free Press that she’s doing well as she recovers from surgery last week.

Franklin has often said that Christmas is her favorite time of year, and it looks as if she may get to spend the holiday at home: Cousin Brenda Corbett, who has visited Franklin regularly since her hospitalization, said the singer expects to be released from the hospital this weekend.

“Aretha is doing better than doctors expected,” Corbett said. “She has a long life in front of her and will be back in concert, on stage, late spring or early summer.” The source who confirmed Franklin’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis to the Free Press — echoing other anonymously sourced media reports — said that doctors “will monitor and keep a close eye on it from here on out.” The source requested anonymity. Others close to the Detroit singer emphasized the 68-year-old star’s desire for privacy.

A National Enquirer report early Wednesday had accelerated fans’ anxiety by noting that pancreatic cancer has only a 5%-10% overall survival rate.

Referring to the Enquirer report, Corbett said, “This girl is doing great, and they need to stop it.”

Franklin’s sister-in-law Earline Franklin refused to discuss the Enquirer report at all, saying only: “Aretha is doing absolutely wonderful. All the prayers and well wishes have supported her, and she’s doing well.”

Wednesday’s reports followed several weeks of mystery regarding Aretha Franklin’s condition.

After a late October stay at Sinai-Grace Hospital in Detroit for undisclosed reasons, she was ordered by doctors to cancel all public appearances for the next six months. In the weeks that followed, Franklin and her spokeswoman remained tight-lipped, declining to elaborate even as Franklin headed to another Detroit hospital for last week’s surgery.

With few details to go on, fans speculated about Franklin’s status. On the Internet and radio call-in shows, many said the lack of information from Franklin’s camp suggested the scenario was grim.

Around Detroit, rumors circulated that the singer had cancer, but until the National Enquirer’s report, no details had emerged.

Even as Wednesday’s anonymous reports lit up the Internet and made their way onto network news programs, Franklin declined to issue a statement.

Unlike most stars of her stature, Franklin has little formal infrastructure around her. She has no manager or full-time business staff, opting to handle many duties on her own — even often booking her own concerts. Last month she hired a new publicist, the latest in a series of spokespeople over the years.

Asked why Franklin is being so secretive about her illness and last week’s medical procedure, Corbett said Franklin is a private person despite her celebrity.

“It’s her private business, and she’s just not ready to talk about it. Give her time to heal. When people ask for their privacy, respect them for that.”

Friends and fans in Detroit and around the world said Franklin is in their thoughts.

“I’m just requesting prayers from the saints of God,” said gospel singer and evangelist Dorinda Clark Cole, who headlined Franklin’s Thanksgiving Day gospel feast and fest at the New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, a church once pastored by Franklin’s father, the Rev. C. L. Franklin.

Contact BRIAN McCOLLUM: 313-223-4450 or mccollum@freepress.com or CASSANDRA SPRATLING: cspratling@freepress.com or 313-223-4580.

Read more: Well wishes for Aretha Franklin | freep.com | Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/article/20101208/ENT04/101208035/Well-wishes-for-Aretha-Franklin#ixzz17aKSo4AV

[Edited 12/8/10 20:20pm]

[Edited 12/8/10 20:22pm]

Research has shown that most people that have the surgery for pancreatic cancer, usually stay in the hospital for 10 days after the surgery. Seems Aretha is set to be discharged over the weekend - consistent with treatment. The secrecy is different than the privacy matter. Many would have lifted her up in prayer, thought and best wishes if they had known what she was dealing with from the onset. The failure to be forthright is what gave fodder to so many rumors of breast reduction, gastric bypass surgery, breast cancer and throat cancer. The not being truthful about many things over the years has resulted in Aretha being the target of many nasty and cruel posts in the Detroit Free Press' commentary section - and it has been this way for years, especially since the Nineties headline story about her not paying her bills.

People are piling on now, even when she is down and in the fight to retain life.

I have always felt that Aretha Franklin was and is the greatest female voice that ever opened their mouth to sing. Her amazing voice was damaged by her smoking cigarettes from age 14 to about 51 years of age, but yet she still found a way in the latter years to still give forth some sort of dash of brilliance.

Her life has not been a bed of rose, but there is so much drama in the Franklin camp.

Most of her career she has not had a real manager. Her only two were her father and her brother (Cecil), and the latter was by all accounts dreadful at it. Her total mistrust of others has led her to keep her monies in her purse and brought on stage with her, even on tv shows like Jay Leno, her purse has been with her - she trusts no one. The constant concert cancellations, the aborted projects, the insistence on self-production of her records, and overall the gospel truths. Broken ribs, never happened; the house fire by her son - swept under the rug; and on and on - and only the ardent fans hang in there.

Aretha's celebrity is so weird, you will notice that only a few other celebs have made statements during this crisis: Della Reese, Smokey Robinson, Keith Washington, Jesse Jackson and Vickie Winans.

No one wants to rock the boat - for she is known to turn on you at the drop of a hat.

Jerry Wexler once called her, "The lady of mysterious sorrows". He also made reference to her many husbands, which angered Aretha and she didn't speak to him for many years before he passed. Her anger with Wexler has been one of the reasosn that still to this day has not permitted AMAZING GRACE - THE MOVIE to ever see the light of day. Now that Aretha is going through an illness that for the most part is a rapid death sentence, one can only hope for a miracle.

If we do indeed reap what we sew, what will Aretha's outcome be? What will any of our outcomes be?

Queen of Soul, we need you to sing again for us....

RnBAmbassador said:

Timmy84 said:

Well wishes for Aretha Franklin

World worries about the Queen of Soul

By BRIAN McCOLLUM and CASSANDRA SPRATLING
Free Press Pop Music Writers

Amid grim reports and with details hard to come by, at least one thing about Aretha Franklin was clear Wednesday: The world is worried about the Queen of Soul.

Franklin has pancreatic cancer, according to a variety of reports and a source who told the Free Press that the Detroit star was diagnosed with that form of cancer. Fans across the globe voiced dismay while paying tribute to the iconic 68-year-old singer.

In Detroit, as family members remained tight-lipped about the specifics of her illness, one longtime associate said the prospect of losing Franklin had sent shock waves through the music world.

“This would be as tragic as it gets,” said Brian Pastoria, a Detroit studio operator who has handled many of Franklin’s recording sessions. “Aretha has inspired so many artists, so many people, all while being such a great ambassador for Detroit. I hope she can miraculously beat this, because we need her spirit moving forward.”

As reports circulated Wednesday, Franklin’s family members would not address the nature of her illness. But two of her closest relatives insisted to the Free Press that she’s doing well as she recovers from surgery last week.

Franklin has often said that Christmas is her favorite time of year, and it looks as if she may get to spend the holiday at home: Cousin Brenda Corbett, who has visited Franklin regularly since her hospitalization, said the singer expects to be released from the hospital this weekend.

“Aretha is doing better than doctors expected,” Corbett said. “She has a long life in front of her and will be back in concert, on stage, late spring or early summer.” The source who confirmed Franklin’s pancreatic cancer diagnosis to the Free Press — echoing other anonymously sourced media reports — said that doctors “will monitor and keep a close eye on it from here on out.” The source requested anonymity. Others close to the Detroit singer emphasized the 68-year-old star’s desire for privacy.

A National Enquirer report early Wednesday had accelerated fans’ anxiety by noting that pancreatic cancer has only a 5%-10% overall survival rate.

Referring to the Enquirer report, Corbett said, “This girl is doing great, and they need to stop it.”

Franklin’s sister-in-law Earline Franklin refused to discuss the Enquirer report at all, saying only: “Aretha is doing absolutely wonderful. All the prayers and well wishes have supported her, and she’s doing well.”

Wednesday’s reports followed several weeks of mystery regarding Aretha Franklin’s condition.

After a late October stay at Sinai-Grace Hospital in Detroit for undisclosed reasons, she was ordered by doctors to cancel all public appearances for the next six months. In the weeks that followed, Franklin and her spokeswoman remained tight-lipped, declining to elaborate even as Franklin headed to another Detroit hospital for last week’s surgery.

With few details to go on, fans speculated about Franklin’s status. On the Internet and radio call-in shows, many said the lack of information from Franklin’s camp suggested the scenario was grim.

Around Detroit, rumors circulated that the singer had cancer, but until the National Enquirer’s report, no details had emerged.

Even as Wednesday’s anonymous reports lit up the Internet and made their way onto network news programs, Franklin declined to issue a statement.

Unlike most stars of her stature, Franklin has little formal infrastructure around her. She has no manager or full-time business staff, opting to handle many duties on her own — even often booking her own concerts. Last month she hired a new publicist, the latest in a series of spokespeople over the years.

Asked why Franklin is being so secretive about her illness and last week’s medical procedure, Corbett said Franklin is a private person despite her celebrity.

“It’s her private business, and she’s just not ready to talk about it. Give her time to heal. When people ask for their privacy, respect them for that.”

Friends and fans in Detroit and around the world said Franklin is in their thoughts.

“I’m just requesting prayers from the saints of God,” said gospel singer and evangelist Dorinda Clark Cole, who headlined Franklin’s Thanksgiving Day gospel feast and fest at the New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, a church once pastored by Franklin’s father, the Rev. C. L. Franklin.

Contact BRIAN McCOLLUM: 313-223-4450 or mccollum@freepress.com or CASSANDRA SPRATLING: cspratling@freepress.com or 313-223-4580.

Read more: Well wishes for Aretha Franklin | freep.com | Detroit Free Press http://www.freep.com/article/20101208/ENT04/101208035/Well-wishes-for-Aretha-Franklin#ixzz17aKSo4AV

[Edited 12/8/10 20:20pm]

[Edited 12/8/10 20:22pm]

Research has shown that most people that have the surgery for pancreatic cancer, usually stay in the hospital for 10 days after the surgery. Seems Aretha is set to be discharged over the weekend - consistent with treatment. The secrecy is different than the privacy matter. Many would have lifted her up in prayer, thought and best wishes if they had known what she was dealing with from the onset. The failure to be forthright is what gave fodder to so many rumors of breast reduction, gastric bypass surgery, breast cancer and throat cancer. The not being truthful about many things over the years has resulted in Aretha being the target of many nasty and cruel posts in the Detroit Free Press' commentary section - and it has been this way for years, especially since the Nineties headline story about her not paying her bills.

People are piling on now, even when she is down and in the fight to retain life.

I have always felt that Aretha Franklin was and is the greatest female voice that ever opened their mouth to sing. Her amazing voice was damaged by her smoking cigarettes from age 14 to about 51 years of age, but yet she still found a way in the latter years to still give forth some sort of dash of brilliance.

Her life has not been a bed of rose, but there is so much drama in the Franklin camp.

Most of her career she has not had a real manager. Her only two were her father and her brother (Cecil), and the latter was by all accounts dreadful at it. Her total mistrust of others has led her to keep her monies in her purse and brought on stage with her, even on tv shows like Jay Leno, her purse has been with her - she trusts no one. The constant concert cancellations, the aborted projects, the insistence on self-production of her records, and overall the gospel truths. Broken ribs, never happened; the house fire by her son - swept under the rug; and on and on - and only the ardent fans hang in there.

Aretha's celebrity is so weird, you will notice that only a few other celebs have made statements during this crisis: Della Reese, Smokey Robinson, Keith Washington, Jesse Jackson and Vickie Winans.

No one wants to rock the boat - for she is known to turn on you at the drop of a hat.

Jerry Wexler once called her, "The lady of mysterious sorrows". He also made reference to her many husbands, which angered Aretha and she didn't speak to him for many years before he passed. Her anger with Wexler has been one of the reasosn that still to this day has not permitted AMAZING GRACE - THE MOVIE to ever see the light of day. Now that Aretha is going through an illness that for the most part is a rapid death sentence, one can only hope for a miracle.

If we do indeed reap what we sew, what will Aretha's outcome be? What will any of our outcomes be?

Queen of Soul, we need you to sing again for us....

Exactly her decision to keep everything secret has not led to good results. She has dealt with a lot of bullshit and it seemed like she has had trust issues from the time she was little. We'll never know the many demons that Aretha has. I can only wish her well. Her family hasn't made it easy to accept their claim that Ree Ree would be fit to perform but we just hope that she somehow make it through though survival of any cancer is detriment. And who knows how long she might have to continue to bless us with the voice she does have left.

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

NewsFlash!!!!!!!!!!!!! Aretha in her own words

She sounds drowsy but optimistic. I hope she gets some good news on her test results....

She is a strong woman she will get through this....

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

NewsFlash!!!!!!!!!!!!! Aretha in her own words

She sounds drowsy but optimistic. I hope she gets some good news on her test results....

[Edited 12/8/10 19:14pm]

My boy, KEITH WASHINGTON.

dreamfactory313 said:

KCOOLMUZIQ said:

NewsFlash!!!!!!!!!!!!! Aretha in her own words

She sounds drowsy but optimistic. I hope she gets some good news on her test results....

[Edited 12/8/10 19:14pm]

My boy, KEITH WASHINGTON.

I forgot he repped Detroit... least it seems that way.

This is really bothering me-thought about it today I really hope she can pull through this. The world really doesn't need to lose another beautiful voice right now

Poor Aretha. I want to be optimistic, but not many survive pancreatic cancer.

scriptgirl said:

Poor Aretha. I want to be optimistic, but not many survive pancreatic cancer.

I'm gonna remain positive. Her family is trying to not let things be too dire. They did say Aretha was well enough to leave after her surgery. Her cousin said she'll leave the hospital this weekend.

Is she gonna do chemo?