Last night, the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, performed a tribute to her goddaughter, the late Whitney Houston.
To a packed house in Charlotte, North Carolina, Franklin began at the piano with a stripped down version of “I Will Always Love You” and moved into a Gospel tune.
“Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like for you to share this moment with me in acknowledging one of the greatest singers that ever stood before a microphone,” said Franklin. “This young lady’s going home. She was kind. She was good. She loved her church. We want to say ‘Thank you.'”
She wrapped up the seven minute tribute with, “Pray for her family, for her mother. She was a daughter, a wife, a Christian, a singer and a dear family friend.”
The crowd rose to its feet and delivered a standing ovation.
