Kid Rock Says Goodbye To Aretha Franklin With Precious Memory

Instagram/KidRock, YouTube/CBS Sunday Morning

The Detroit-born Southern rocker mourned the tragic passing of this legendary voice and fellow Detroit native – and he opened up about his favorite memory of her in a heartfelt post following her passing.

Aretha Franklin, the undisputed Queen Of Soul, passed away at her home in Detroit on Thursday, August 16th, surrounded by her loved ones. She had been battling an advanced form of pancreatic cancer and had fought other undisclosed health issues in the preceding years.

Millions across the world mourned Franklin’s passing in heartfelt sentiments on social media and many in country music shared their fondest memories and photos of their time working with this legendary artist. Franklin was a true icon across the globe, and across genres of music. There was no limit to her powerhouse presence, talent, and unforgettable voice.

While the world of music expressed their deepest sense of loss at this icon’s passing,  Kid Rock said an emotional goodbye to the Queen of Soul that will melt your heart…

Sharing his kind words and memories with fans on Instagram, Rock expressed just how magical sharing the stage with Franklin was for him and stated that her unrivaled grace, dignity, and soul were “a force this world will never forget.”

“I will forever cherish my time spent with Aretha. Her grace, dignity and SOUL was a force this world will never forget!” he wrote alongside a historic photo of Aretha Franklin. “My favorite memory will always be performing with her and her son Teddy at Radio City Music Hall.”

He continued on, telling the story of his favorite memory in only a way Kid Rock can.

“The producer that day came up to me before rehearsals and said Aretha told him, ‘I like Kid Rock but I am not gonna be up on this stage with him if he is gonna use those curse words, I am a woman of the church!!'” he wrote lovingly. “Of course, I know she was, I did not, and I thought it was a wonderful performance of my favorite song by her ‘Rock Steady’ – and it always brings a smile to my face when I think about it.”

 

The performance, which was part of a VH1 special called “Divas Live” is hard to find online, but the track was included on the album from that special, also called Divas Live: The One And Only Aretha Franklin.

The world is a darker place without someone like Aretha Franklin to light it up and it’s clear that Kid Rock feels that same way – but while she has passed on, we will always have her groundbreaking musical legacy to remember her by.

Listen to Kid Rock, Aretha Franklin, and Teddy Franklin sing “Rock Steady” below.