Grammys: Gospel singer Yolanda Adams among hand-picked performers to tribute Aretha Franklin
Article By Rebecca Johnson // Music // EEW Magazine
The Recording Academy is tapping the finest singers to give the Queen of Soul a sendoff tribute fit for royalty.
Gospel singer, Yolanda Adams, is among the vocalists that will honor the late Aretha Franklin at this year’s Grammy Awards Sunday, Feb. 10.
Two other songbirds, Fantasia Barrino-Taylor and Andra Day, will also participate in the musical tribute for the “Respect” legend who passed away on Aug. 16 of pancreatic cancer.
This will not be the 57-year-old Adams’ first time singing in Franklin’s honor. Countless fans remember her rousing rendition of “Oh Mary Don’t You Weep” at the cultural icon’s funeral celebration accompanied by Bishop Paul S. Morton.
Adams also rocked a cover of Franklin's “Respect” at UNCF’s 2013 Evening of Stars.
“All hail the Queen,” Adams wrote in a social media tribute when news of Franklin’s death broke. “My heart is overwhelmed because Mrs. Aretha had such a great influence on my musical life. I grew up listening to her almost every day.”
The “Mountain High…Valley Low” singer added, “I’m so glad I got a chance to tell her how much I love her.”
She’ll be able to tell her again posthumously.
Adams, who is no stranger to Grammy tributes, previously saluted Franklin at the 2011 Grammys—along with Jennifer Hudson, Florence Welch, Christina Aguilera, and Martina McBride—during a 10-minute segment featuring some of the artist’s biggest hits.