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Photos by Michael Lucido, staff photojournalist
Text by Alan Stamm, contributing editor
While politicians, stars, relatives, friends and other invitees sing, pray, laugh and occasionally dance a bit inside Greater Grace Temple during Aretha Franklin's lengthy farewell Friday, other admirers share appreciations, music and reverence outside the West Seven Mile Road mega-church.
A steady throng pauses at a nearby Sunoco gas station that projects a livestream of the service on a Jumbotron-like screen. Some wear Sunday finery with stylish hats, others are in T-shirts and shorts. It's a diverse mix of pure Detroit, united by the Queen of Soul.
The coloful streetcape also includes TV satellite trucks and tented work areas, roving photograhers, a police motorcycle honor guard, rows of about 100 pink Cadillacs flanking Seven Mile, T-shirt peddlers and a line of fans hoping to be allowed in as others trickle out. About half of the church's 2,000 seats were available for the public, even though it originally was billed as a private event.
Here are scenes from the poignant, memorable last day of August 2018 on Detroit's west side.
Onlookers make a joyful noise with Aretha's spirit in mind.
It's not a Detroit church hat unless it's eye-catching.
And another chapeau deserving attention.
A vendor shows his wares to prospective attendees awaiting entry.
Nation of Islam members.
Onwers of pink Cadillacs, including more than a few Mary Kay company sales representatives, volunteered to escort the funeral processional with apt symbolism that would make Franklin smile and sing.
Detroit Police Department motorcycle officers provide an official honor guard on the route to Woodlawn Cemetery, where Franklin will be enthomed in a family mausoleum.
Swanson Funeral Home managers and staff members.
A final ride fit for sould music royalty. This 1940 Cadillac LaSalle Funeral Coach is the flagship of Swanson's fleet.
The glossy memorial program is sure to be a treasured keepsake of a historic ceremony.
