By Jessica Wedemeyer
8:17am PST, Mar 8, 2019
The stars will align to pay homage to Aretha Franklin on the CBS special "Aretha! A Grammy Celebration for the Queen of Soul" on March 10, 2019. To mark the occasion, Wonderwall.com is taking a look back at some of the most iconic photos of the legendary singer, who died at 76 on Aug. 16, 2018, following a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer. Keep reading to take a look back at several unforgettable photos of Aretha…
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Aretha Franklin performed publicly for the very last time at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Fall Gala in New York City on Nov. 7, 2017.
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Aretha Franklin looked glamorous while sporting a feather-trimmed coat in a portrait circa 1967.
Aretha Franklin hugged childhood friend Smokey Robinson at a rehearsal for the "Aretha Franklin: Duets" concert to benefit the Gay Men's Health Crisis at the Nederlander Theater in New York City in April 1993.
Aretha Franklin performed in front of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., as part of President Bill Clinton's Inauguration Gala on Jan. 17, 1993.
Aretha Franklin posed for a portrait with first husband Ted White, who also served as her manager, in New York City circa 1961.
Aretha Franklin sang during a recording session for her cover of "The Weight" at the Atlantic Records studio in New York City on Jan. 10, 1969.
Aretha Franklin posed with one of her 18 Grammys — this one for best R&B performance for "Bridge Over Troubled Waters" — during the 14th Annual Grammy Awards in New York City on March 13, 1972.
Aretha Franklin donned a fabulous hat featuring an oversized bow while performing during President Barack Obama's Inauguration Ceremony in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20, 2009.
Bow down! Aretha Franklin posed for a portrait with three plaques celebrating her record-sales milestones circa 1969.
Aretha Franklin performed in orange separates circa 1965.
Aretha Franklin danced in front of the White House during a cancer march in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 26, 1998.
The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, joined the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, for a duet during the taping of his HBO special, "Soul Session," at Taboo nightclub in Detroit on Jan. 11, 1987.
Aretha Franklin applied her makeup backstage before a performance at Newark Symphony Hall in New Jersey in 1969.
We'd rather go naked than wear fur, but no matter how we feel on the subject, there's no denying that Aretha Franklin and fur coats are practically synonymous. The iconic singer gave a saucy look over one shoulder while showing off her signature outerwear during the 1997 Grammys in New York City on Feb. 19.
Aretha Franklin posed with another of her beloved furs in 1980.
Aretha Franklin sang and played piano during a recording session at Columbia Studios in New York in 1962.
What a trio! Aretha Franklin performed with Michael Jackson and Diana Ross during President Bill Clinton's Inauguration Gala in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 18, 1993.
Aretha Franklin's youngest son, Kecalf, accompanied her and her second husband, Glen Turman, to their wedding reception at a hotel in Los Angeles on April 17, 1978.
Aretha Franklin performed during the Mandela Day Concert at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on July 18, 2009.
Aretha Franklin made her feature-film debut in 1980's "The Blues Brothers." She starred alongside John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd as Mrs. Murphy, a woman who co-owns a soul-food restaurant with her husband.
Aretha Franklin's son, Kecalf, pecked her on the cheek during her 72nd birthday party in New York City on March 23, 2014.
Aretha Franklin donned a quintessentially '60s ensemble while performing on "The Jonathan Winters Show" in Los Angeles on Jan. 5, 1968.
Only Aretha Franklin! The legendary singer brought her three dogs with her to the premiere of the CBS miniseries "Scarlett" — a sequel to "Gone With the Wind" — in New York City in 1994.
Aretha Franklin kicked off her shoes during the 10th Annual American Music Awards in Los Angeles on Jan. 17, 1983.
"I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" collaborators George Michael and Aretha Franklin embraced while performing together during the Detroit stop of his "Faith" world tour at the Palace of Auburn Hills in 1988.
Aretha Franklin performed during "VH1 Divas 2001: The One and Only Aretha Franklin" in New York City on April 10, 2001.
Aretha Franklin donned a fabulous red ensemble at a dinner for the Kennedy Center Honors, which she attended with then-boyfriend Ronald White, in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 3, 1994.
Aretha Franklin returned to the big screen in 1998 with "Blues Brothers 2000," reprising her role as Mrs. Murphy.
Aretha Franklin posed with her lifetime achievement award during the 36th Annual Grammy Awards at New York City's Radio City Music Hall on March 1, 1994.
President Barack Obama was all smiles while escorting Aretha Franklin across the stage during a portrait unveiling ceremony at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 27, 2015.
Aretha Franklin donned a memorable lacy white frock while being honored during the Kennedy Center Honors in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 2, 1994.
Aretha Franklin performed the National Anthem before Super Bowl XL in Detroit on Feb. 5, 2006.
Condoleezza Rice played piano as Aretha Franklin sang at The Mann Center for the Performing Arts in Philadelphia on July 27, 2010.
Aretha Franklin donned a feather-trimmed black gown while performing during the Hurricane Katrina Rescue Fund event in Los Angeles on Sept. 12, 2005.
President Bill Clinton presented Aretha Franklin with a National Medal of Arts in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 29, 1999.
Aretha Franklin sang during Rosa Park's funeral at the Greater Grace Temple in Detroit on Nov. 3, 2005.
Aretha Franklin looked pretty in pink while being honored as the MusiCares Person of the Year in Beverly Hills on Feb. 7, 2008.
Lionel Richie pecked Aretha Franklin on the cheek at the 10th Annual American Music Awards in Los Angeles on Jan. 17, 1983.
So extra! Aretha Franklin donned an eye-catching ensemble while performing at the Mizner Park Amphitheatre in Boca Raton, Florida, on April 22, 2005.
President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama watched on as Aretha Franklin sang during the dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 16, 2011.
