People: Remembering Aretha Franklin

Following is a summary of current people news briefs.

Aretha Franklin funeral set for August 31 in Detroit

A funeral for the late recording star Aretha Franklin has been scheduled for Aug. 31 in Detroit, following a two-day public viewing of her casket, and her body will be entombed at a family gravesite, relatives announced on Friday through a publicist. Franklin, the preacher's daughter who became the long-reigning "Queen of Soul" with such hits as "Respect" and "Chain of Fools," died at her home in Detroit on Thursday at the age of 76, after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

'She knew she was blessed' - Smokey Robinson remembers Aretha

When Motown great Smokey Robinson saw his lifelong friend Aretha Franklin play music for the first time, he said he was struck by the talent of the young girl who would become the "Queen of Soul." In an interview with Reuters TV, the former lead singer of his group The Miracles recalled that first meeting 70 years ago with Franklin, who died on Thursday at age 76.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)