Related: Aretha Franklin is getting home tow R-E-S-P-E-C-T this weekend Debbie Stabenow, boxing champion Thomas Hearns, Detroit City Councilwoman JoAnn Watson and fellow musicians Mary Wilson of the Supremes, Freda Payne, Vickie Winans and Ivan Kral - was more than happy to wait despite the 90-degree heat, and in addition to a dozen songs that spanned much of Franklin’s 60-year recording career it also witnessed the presentation of a key to the city by Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan and Motor City Lyric Opera’s Metropolitan Detroit Virtuoso Award from Franklin’s opera coach Mary Lynch. But the crowd of at least several thousand (organizers claim 14,000) - including luminaries such as civil rights activist Jessie Jackson, Michigan U.S. “There’s no one more deserving of this honour than you and the entire world is a better place because we are fortunate enough to share it with you.Related: Aretha Franklin tribute soars, even without herįranklin’s hour-and-50-minute show was a genuine celebration, if a bit rough and tumble in spots, including an inexplicable 90-minute wait after Mitch Ryder’s preceding performance.

And I know I’ll be doing so again very soon.

And speaking personally, there’s no greater thrill on Earth for me than to be in the audience witnessing of Pavarotti’s performance. “You give your all and each and every time you walk on stage. Living is the perfect word for you Luciano, for not only do you possess one of the greatest voices ever, but your spirit and zest for life is singular.

I know you’ve promised to be here next year to accept the award.

“On behalf of the Recording Academy it gives me great pleasure to present you with this year’s Grammy Living Legend Award in absentia. “Luciano, I know you’re at home cheering on Aretha,” Sting said on stage at the awards, “cheering quietly but cheering nonetheless. English musician and frontman of The Police, Sting, introduced Franklin on stage, and afterwards had the soul singer join him to announce Pavarotti as the recipient of the ‘Grammy Legend Award’ – an award that Franklin had previously been honoured with seven years prior.

Aretha franklin lyric opera house