Aretha Franklin has been forced to cancel up to six months of live appearances on doctors orders.
A true soul icon, Aretha Franklin has aged gracefully. Still a powerful performer her voice may lack some of the power of her youth, but the singer makes up for this with an increased tenderness.
Recently, though, the singer has been battling ill health. Aretha Franklin was taken to hospital back in August, after an accidental fall at her Detroit home left the singer nursing two broken ribs.
After this, Aretha Franklin was re-admitted to hospital in October for reasons not yet disclosed. Sadly, it seems that her problems are set to continue with doctors advising the singer to cancel all shows for the next six months.
BBC News reports that Franklin’s health team have insisted on the singer taking a lengthy break from her punishing performance schedule.
Continuing, the soul icon’s publicist apologised for the cancellations and stated that Aretha Franklin was eager to begin her recuperation and “very anxious to get back on the road to perform for her fans”.
“The award-winning songstress sends her sincerest apologies to her loyal followers and colleagues for the cancelled shows,” the statement continued.
The list of shows includes some special events. Due to perform a Christmas show in Detroit, Aretha Franklin was set to take to the stage with Temptations singer Dennis Edwards – the pair were once engaged.
Still the ‘Queen of Soul’ the singer was invited to perform at last year’s inauguration of President Barack Obama. To date, Aretha Franklin has won 20 Grammy awards in a hugely influential career.
Currently at home resting, Aretha Franklin is due to resume performing early next summer.
