In the wake of Aretha Franklin’s death, Blues Brothers star Dan Aykroyd has taken to social media to share “happy memories” of being on set with the “Queen of Soul.”
Franklin appeared in the classic 1980s comedy as Mrs. Murphy, the no-nonsense wife of Matt “Guitar” Murphy who was less than thrilled to see him run off with the boys and gives a rousing rendition of her hit song “Think.”
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“Happy memories of being with Aretha on movie sets and industry events. The Queen had a wry, skeptical eye on the world but once you got her laughing you were in,” Aykroyd wrote in a tweet. “What a voice! What a soul. Angel choirs should prepare for increased rehearsal and discipline.”
“Happy memories of being with Aretha on movie sets and industry events. The Queen had a wry, skeptical eye on the world but once you got her laughing you were in. What a voice! What a soul. Angel choirs should prepare for increased rehearsal and discipline.”
โ Dan Aykroyd (@dan_aykroyd) August 16, 2018
Notably, this was the only acting that Franklin ever did, though she did reprise the role in the sequel, Blues Brothers 2000, where she delivered an impassioned performance of “Respect” after, once again, being told that Mr. Murphy was planning to run off to play music with the Blues Brothers band.
In addition to Aykroyd, a number of other high-profile celebrities have spoken out about Franklin’s passing, with many of them memorializing the fallen icon.
The Queen of Soul has left this earth to sit on her throne in heaven. How blessed we were to hear the best that God had to offer in her voice. RESPECT!
โ Lenny Kravitz (@LennyKravitz) August 16, 2018
๐ท: Mark Seliger pic.twitter.com/v9OxtyrZ74
“We mourn the passing of Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul. Her voice will keep lifting us, through the music she gave the world,” said Apple CEO Tim Cook in a tweet. “Our thoughts are with her family, her loved ones and fans everywhere. Take her hand, precious Lord, and lead her home.”
“Deeply sad this morning. Aretha Franklin has left us and her blessed family. She Lifted up the best angels of our nature,” wrote actress Goldie Hawn on twitter May her legacy of truth, love, hope, and joy live on in all of us.”
Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, was an icon. She could steal any stage or any scene as she did in the “The Blues Brothers.” Rest in peace… //t.co/elclxdF77q
โ Jim Acosta (@Acosta) August 16, 2018
Franklin passed away on Thursday at the age of 76. It was later revealed that her cause of death was believed to be due to pancreatic cancer.