Cliff Lipson/CBS
A who’s-who of music stars gathered in January to pay tribute to the late Aretha Franklin at a concert event recorded for a CBS special called Aretha! A GRAMMY Celebration for the Queen of Soul, which airs this Sunday, March 10, at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
Smokey Robinson and Patti LaBelle were among the many stars who took part in the show, which was organized by The Recording Academy and music-industry legend Clive Davis.
The tribute’s all-star lineup also includes Jennifer Hudson, John Legend, Celine Dion, Alicia Keys, Rob Thomas, Kelly Clarkson, Janelle Monáe, Fantasia, BeBe Winans, Yolanda Adams, Shirley Caesar, Alessia Cara, Brandi Carlile, Common, Andra Day, SZA, H.E.R. and Chloe x Halle.
Robinson doesn’t sing on the special, instead offering a heartfelt spoken-word remembrance of his old friend, whom he met in Detroit when he was eight years old and she was just six.
Among the many musical highlights are Hudson’s electrifying rendition of “Think,” Keys singing “Day Dreaming,” Dion belting out Aretha’s rendition of Sam Cooke‘s “A Change Is Gonna Come,” and LaBelle doing “Call Me.” In addition, Fantasia, Cara, Carlile and Day teamed up for a show-stopping version of “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.”
Actor and filmmaker Tyler Perry hosts the special, which also includes archival performances by the iconic Franklin.
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