Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to honor Aretha Franklin as subject of American Music Masters

8/23/2011
ASSOCIATED PRESS
  • Aretha-Franklin-4x3

    FILE - In this Tuesday, May 17, 2011 file photo, Aretha Franklin performs during a star-studded double-taping of "Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular," in Chicago. Aretha Franklin says she's "extremely disappointed" over a lawsuit filed by her longtime songwriting partner over song royalties from her latest CD and copyright infringement. Norman West of Lansing filed the suit July 15 against the Queen of Soul's publishing company in Detroit federal court (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)

    Charles Rex Arbogast / AP

  • Aretha Franklin performs during a taping of
    Aretha Franklin performs during a taping of "Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular" in May in Chicago.

    NEW YORK — Aretha Franklin is already a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but this fall, she'll be honored by the hall once again, as part of its American Music Masters series.

    The Queen of Soul will be the subject of a week-long celebration by the hall and Case Western Reserve University. It kicks off Oct. 31, includes an all-day symposium and ends with an all-star tribute concert on Nov. 5. Performers for that show have yet to be announced.

    In a statement released Tuesday, the 69-year-old Franklin said she was "thrilled and delighted" to be honored and planned to take part in the festivities.

    Franklin returned to the concert scene this year after surgery for an undisclosed condition.

    Past honorees include Bessie Smith, Les Paul, Janis Joplin and Woody Guthrie.