Aretha Franklin has announced plans to retire after releasing a new album later this year.

The 74-year-old, who has had a career spanning five decades, made the announcement in an interview to a TV station in Detroit.

"I must tell you, I am retiring this year," Franklin told WDIV Local 4. "This will be my last year.

"I will be recording, but this will be my last year in concert. This is it."

The Queen of Soul told the station she plans to spend more time with her grandchildren, but said she would still do "some select things".


Some of the songs on the new album will be produced by Stevie Wonder, she said.

Image: Aretha Franklin says she feels 'exuberant' about her plans

Franklin rose to fame in the 1960s after starting out as a gospel singer.

Her distinct, powerful voice scored her hits with songs including Respect and (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman, as well as a cover of The Rolling Stones' Jumpin' Jack flash.

She has won 18 Grammy awards and sold more than 75 million records worldwide. In 1987, she became the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Her last album came out in 2014.

Speaking about her upcoming final record, she told the Detroit station: "Several of the songs are going to be produced by Stevie, and of course there's only one Stevie, right?"

Looking back at her achievements, Franklin told the radio station that she was "pretty much satisfied" with her career.

But, she added, "I'm not going to go anywhere and just sit down and do nothing. That wouldn't be good either."