Update on Aretha Franklin tribute: Tickets gone in minutes, lineup set

Brian McCollum | Detroit Free Press

Show Caption Hide Caption 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.

Tickets for Thursday's free Aretha Franklin tribute show at Chene Park were grabbed up in a matter of minutes Monday morning.

The free tickets were distributed at Ticketmaster starting at 10 a.m. Chene Park capacity is about 6,000.

The show — dubbed "A People's Tribute to the Queen" — will run 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Thursday, on the eve of Franklin's funeral. The show is being organized by Franklin's family.

Meanwhile, more details about Thursday's program have been announced:

An R&B tribute led by musical director Kern Brantley will feature performances by Narada Michael Walden, Ronnie McNeir and Detroit singers including Cherri Black, Steffanie Christi'an, Angela Davis, Gwen Foxx, Beth Griffith-Manley, Kimmie Horne, KIKO, Alise King and L’Renee and Tasha Page-Lockhart.

An all-star tribute, also directed by Brantley, will feature Regina Belle, Raheem DeVaughn, Johnny Gill, Dave Hollister, L.J. Reynolds, Angie Stone, Tweet, Keith Washington and the Four Tops.

A jazz tribute led by bassist Ralphe Armstrong will include Joan Belgrave, Doug Carn, Jean Carne, Thornetta Davis and Dee Dee Bridgewater.

A gospel tribute with musical directors Kurt Carr and Derrick Starks will feature Santita Jackson, Dr. Bobby Jones, Lisa McCall dancers, Tasha Page-Lockhart, Kierra (Kiki) Sheard and Kathy Taylor.

A dance sequence will be presented by Tony-winning choreographer George Faison.

Other guests will include Tyler Perry, Jenifer Lewis and Judge Greg Mathis.

The show finale will feature all performers doing "Respect."

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