Tuesday morning marks the first day the public can pay tribute to legendary singer Aretha Franklin in Detroit, Michigan. Starting today at 9 a.m. and running through Wednesday at 9 p.m., Franklin’s body will lie in honor at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African-American History in a gold casket.
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As the Detroit Free press reports, some fans slept overnight on the sidewalk outside the museum. As of 8 a.m. this morning, about 200 people were already outside on a day that’s expected to reach past 90 degrees.
The public visitation marks the first event in a week of mourning and celebration of the Queen of Soul’s life. According to the Free Press, on Thursday, New Bethel Baptist Church, founded by Franklin’s father, Rev. C.L. Franklin, will host its own viewing for its members, which will be followed by a tribute concert at Chene Park Amphitheatre.
“A People’s Tribute to the Queen” will honor all the musical stylings Franklin excelled in: there will be an R&B tribute, a gospel tribute, a jazz tribute, and an “all-star” tribute, which will feature Regina Bell, Johnny Gill, Raheem DeVaughn, Angie Stone, and the Four Tops, among others.
On Friday, a private home-going service will be held in Detroit’s Greater Grace Temple. If you’re not on the highly selective guest list, you can watch the funeral through the Associated Press livestream (which will be picked up by various news organizations).
Among the star-studded guest and speaker list will be former president Bill Clinton, Smokey Robinson—a lifelong friend of Franklin’s, and renowned music industry exec Clive Davis. Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia, Shirley Caesar, Yolanda Adams and Chaka Khan are also slated to perform during the service.
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