Bill Clinton, Smokey Robinson among speakers at Aretha Franklin funeral

Brian McCollum | Detroit Free Press

Former President Bill Clinton is among a list of high-profile speakers scheduled for the funeral of Aretha Franklin, the singer's family announced Friday morning.

Other speakers will include former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, Motown star and lifelong Franklin friend Smokey Robinson, the Rev. Jesse Jackson and record mogul Clive Davis.

Detroit Pistons great Isiah Thomas was also confirmed as a speaker Wednesday.

Franklin's funeral will start at 10 a.m. Aug. 31 at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit.

Aretha Franklin's funeral: Everything you need to know

More: Stevie Wonder, Faith Hill, Jennifer Hudson among 19 performers at Aretha's funeral

More: LeBron James to have front-row pew at Aretha Franklin funeral; Isiah Thomas to speak

Also announced Friday were Bishop T.D. Jakes, the Rev. Al Sharpton and actress Cicely Tyson.

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, Detroit City Council President Brenda Jones and U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence will also step up for remarks, Franklin's family said via spokeswoman Gwendolyn Quinn.

Detroit natives Judge Greg Mathis and Michael Eric Dyson will also speak.

Clinton's presence at the funeral is no surprise: His relationship with Franklin stretches back to at least 1993, when she performed at his inaugural ceremonies. In May 1999, Franklin performed for Clinton at the White House Correspondents Association's annual dinner, and later that year, the president awarded her with the National Medal of Arts and Humanities during a White House ceremony.

Events celebrating Aretha Franklin: What you need to know Here's what you need to know about events celebrating Aretha Franklin's life and musical legacy.

Many of the speakers were close with Franklin: She and Robinson were friends since childhood, when they grew up together on Detroit's northwest side. The Rev. Jackson was a confidant and spiritual adviser for the singer going back to the civil rights movement in the 1960s. Davis is the high-powered record executive who helped reboot Franklin's music career with a series of pop hits at Arista Records in the 1980s.

The speakers revealed today join a fast-growing guest list for Franklin's private funeral. As announced Thursday, performers will include Stevie Wonder, Jennifer Hudson, Faith Hill and more.

The service will be officiated by Greater Grace's Bishop Charles Ellis III, with the Rev. Robert Smith Jr. of New Bethel Baptist Church as co-officiant. Franklin's eulogy will be delivered by the Rev. Jasper Williams Jr. of Atlanta's Salem Baptist Church.

Contact Detroit Free Press music writer Brian McCollum: 313-223-4450 or bmccollum@freepress.com.