Aretha Franklin cancels New York shows after breaking ribs
Soul singer pulls Brooklyn gigs after fall

August 4, 2010
http://www.nme.com/news/aretha-franklin/52350



Aretha Franklin has cancelled two free New York shows after breaking two ribs in a fall.

The soul legend had been set to play two gigs in Brooklyn, at Wingate Park on August 9 and as part of the Annual Seaside Summer Concert Series on August 12.

As well as the two broken ribs the fall resulted in abdominal pain for the singer, reports the Detroit News.

Franklin said she was planning to reschedule the shows soon.

"I was very much looking forward to being in Brooklyn and having a foot-long hot dog at Coney Island," she said. "Hopefully, I will get it before the end of August."

I hope she heals well.

And I will refrain from any jokes with the words "ribs" and "hot dog."

Did someone say "steak"?

If I saw this coming down the steps at me, I would hope I could run fast.

MY EYES!!!

UNSEE!!!!!!! UNSEE!!!!!

Believe me that thought had also crossed my mind.

It crossed my mind too...

So I'll go this route instead: didn't she have enough stuff protecting her ribs?

I just want the Queen of Soul to finally return to Europe, we need you! Boat or plane!

Aretha Franklin cancels six months of appearances on doctors' orders
68-year-old was recently admitted to hospital

November 5, 2010
http://www.nme.com/news/aretha-franklin/53731



Aretha Franklin has cancelled all public appearances for the next six months following advice from her doctors.

The singer, 68, was admitted to hospital in Detroit in October for undisclosed reasons, and also broke two ribs in a fall in August.

Although she is now at home resting, she has been told to cancel all gigs and concerts for the next six months "at the insistence" of her doctors, reports BBC News.

Franklin's publicist apologised for the cancellations and said the singer was "very anxious to get back on the road to perform for her fans".

Among the cancelled gigs is a Christmas show in Detroit that would have seen her perform with Temptations singer Dennis Edwards, to whom she was once briefly engaged.

Aretha Franklin undergoes 'highly successful' surgery
Singer thanks medical staff for their support

December 3, 2010
http://www.nme.com/news/aretha-franklin/54107



Aretha Franklin underwent "highly successful" surgery yesterday (December 2) in Detroit.

The singer has not revealed what condition she was suffering from, but she released a statement following the surgery to thank medical staff, reports BBC News.

She thanks staff who she said were "blessed by all the prayers of the city and the country."

The day before the surgery took place fans had gathered in the US city to hold a prayer vigil for her. Her publicist has now said she is "very anxious to get back on the road to perform for her fans."

Franklin had cancelled gigs in November on doctors' advice.