It’s going to be a year of tributes for the late Aretha Franklin as awards season is among us. And the first, the American Music Awards, will be leading the charge — led by none other than Gladys Knight. 

Dick Clark productions told The Associated Press that Gladys Knight, Ledisi, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, CeCe Winans and musical director Rickey Minor will pay tribute to Aretha Franklin’s gospel roots and her iconic album, Amazing Grace, at the Oct. 9 awards event, on ABC. 

Throughout her career, Aretha won six AMAs and even hosted the show in 1976 and 1983. “When I heard some of the initial ideas for the tribute, I knew without a doubt that this tribute will go down as one of the best in American music,” said Aretha’s niece, Sabrina. 

 

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