Thousands of Aretha Franklin fans gathered in Detroit today to pay their respects to the legendary "queen of soul", whose body is on display in a city museum starting today, starting the four-day event in her honor.
Franklin died Aug. 16 in Detroit of pancreatic cancer. She had completed 60 years of career and was one of the most respected artists in the United States, while also fighting for the political rights of African Americans.
Today, her gilded coffin is housed in the Charles H. Wright Museum, which is dedicated to the history of black Americans. Her fans had been camping all night outside the building to worship her body.
Authorities expect thousands of people to take part in the popular pilgrimage today and tomorrow. On Thursday, her body will be transferred to the church where her father officiated.
Some of her fans arrived in Detroit dressed in T-shirts with her face printed on them. "She is the Queen. It is an idol, it is a legend. "It's just an honor to be here to honor her," one of them told Local 4 News.
"Her music has changed the lives of many and it is an honor to be here," added a man who arrived in Detroit from neighboring Ohio. "It touched so many people," he continued.
On Thursday night, a free concert will be held in her memory, while on Friday, her funeral will take place, which is expected to be attended by, among others, former US President Bill Clinton, Stevie Wonder and Jennifer Hudson.