Aretha Franklin cancels concerts amidst ongoing health issues

She’s known all around the world for her iconic soul and blues music but Aretha Franklin has been forced to cancel her upcoming concerts due to health issues.

The 75-year-old, who is known for her classic hits including ‘Respect’, ‘Natural Woman’ and ‘I Say a Little Prayer’, has pulled out of a string of concerts across America at the request of her doctors.

The New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, where Aretha was set to perform next month, released a statement on their Facebook page explaining why the singer was forced to pull out.

“Aretha Franklin has been ordered by her doctor to stay off the road and rest completely for at least the next two months,” the statement read. “She is extremely disappointed she cannot perform at this year’s New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival as she had expected and hoped to.”

Read more: Looking back at Aretha Franklin’s Women’s Rights anthem “Respect”

It is not yet known what the health problem is. In addition to the cancellation of her New Orleans performance, the ‘Chain of Fools’ songstress has been forced to cancel a highly-anticipated performance at Newark’s New Jersey Performing Arts Center to coincide with her 76th birthday.

In a radio interview with WDIV Local 4 radio in Detroit just last year, Aretha said that she wouldn’t be far from retiring from touring for good. “I must tell you, I am retiring this year,” the Blues Brothers actress said.

“I will be recording, but this will be my last year in concert. This is it … I feel very, very enriched and satisfied with respect to where my career came from, and where it is now. I’ll be pretty much satisfied, but I’m not going to go anywhere and just sit down and do nothing. That wouldn’t be good either.”

It is not yet known if the star will return to touring, although singer Rod Stewart has been announced as her replacement for her New Orleans performance.

In 2017, Aretha revealed her dramatic weight loss, shedding 85 pounds and looking unrecognisable in photographs. Reports in 2010 said that the singer had battled pancreatic cancer, although she has never confirmed what health issues she’s been facing.

A cruel internet hoax last year also reported that the star had died, although she quickly put those rumours to bed and told her fans not to believe such rubbish. Fans have been sharing their well-wishes online, hoping that their idol makes a swift recovery.

One fan on Twitter wrote: “God bless you goddess! We hope to you see you soon on stage!” Another said: “Y’all keep Aretha Franklin in your prayers, hear? Those who know the words of prayer, keep the Queen of Soul lifted up,” while a third simply added: “I hope she’s gonna be okay”.

Have you ever seen Aretha in concert? Do you have a message of support for her in this difficult time?