LOS ANGELES, Aug 17 — MTV will celebrate soul legend Aretha Franklin at Monday’s Video Music Awards ceremony, the network said yesterday as tributes flowed in from around the world and US television channels scheduled special broadcasts.
The annual awards show celebrating top performers in a variety of musical genres will be broadcast live on MTV from Radio City Music Hall in New York.
The VMAs “will honour Aretha Franklin and pay tribute to her monumental legacy,” an MTV spokesperson said.
Franklin, the winner of 18 Grammys known worldwide as the “Queen of Soul” died yesterday at the age of 76, her family said.
MTV did not provide any details on how it would honour the singer. Previously scheduled VMAs performers include Nicki Minaj, Ariana Grande and Jennifer Lopez.
Franklin had been nominated for VMAs for 1986 video Freeway of Love and 1987’s Jumpin’ Jack Flash.
Other television networks also planned programming on Franklin’s life and music.
The ABC broadcast channel said it would air a special edition of 20/20 today that includes never-before-seen footage of Franklin on tour.
Oprah Winfrey’s OWN network announced it would re-air tomorrow a 1999 interview from The Oprah Winfrey Show in which Franklin talked about her life, performed hits, including Respect, and shared her favourite recipe. — AFP-Relaxnews
