The music world was shaken yesterday with the news of Aretha Franklin’s passing at age 76. Israeli artists, first and foremost, are music fans themselves – and many expressed sorrow over Aretha’s passing. Here are a few selected words and videos.

Miri Mesika, performing on the night of Aretha’s death:

David Broza:

Such a sad day. AREHTA [sic] and OTIS READING were the first singers I listened to . THE KING AND QUEEN OF SOUL . I was 14 years old. Forever indebted in my musical DNA. May she Rest In Peace.

Noa (Achinoam Nini):

Aretha Franklin is gone. This woman who found her voice in the shadow of such giants as Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., raised in an American plagued with racism and discrimination in the thick of the civil rights movement, carved a place for herself in history, with the sheer power of her talent, her incredible voice and powerful performances. Against all odds, the undisputed Queen of Soul broke record after record, sold millions of albums and inspired generations of singers. But unlike her hyper-famous successors, Ms. Franklin never stooped low in order to sell herself. She never wore skimpy clothes, had no need for vulgar lyrics, didn’t gyrate or pole-dance, strip or fornicate on camera. She didn’t have to flaunt her feminism or her body, be cheap, or sell sex, in order to sell 75 million albums and be admitted into three halls of fame and every list of Best Artists Ever on the planet.
She was “the real thing”….inimitable….a strong fabulous black woman who very simply, blew us away.
May she rest in peace.

Karolina took some time at her concert to “say a little prayer” for Aretha:

And finally, Danny Sanderson offered this humorous gem a few months ago, in tribute to Aretha in his own unique style:

May she rest in peace.