aretha franklin

Bill Clinton at Aretha Franklin's funeral: Former president plays 'Think' from his iPhone

Friday, August 31, 2018
At Aretha Franklin's funeral, Bill Clinton memorialized the Queen of Soul as a woman with "breathtaking talent" who kept on charming audiences despite her illness.
DETROIT -- Bill Clinton memorialized Aretha Franklin as a woman with "breathtaking talent" who kept on charming audiences despite her illness.

Clinton described himself as an "Aretha groupie" and said he was thrilled to meet the Queen of Soul during her final public performance in 2017. Though she looked "gaunt," Clinton said, Franklin performed for 45 minutes.

"How you doing, baby?" she asked him.

"I'm doing better now," Clinton replied.

Clinton quipped that he was happy that Franklin's casket was still open when he arrived because he just had to see what she was wearing.

"I wonder what my friend has got on today. I wanted to see what the girl was carrying out," Clinton said to a wave of laughs and claps from the crowd. Franklin was clad in a gold gown, her fourth outfit of the week.

He ended his time at the pulpit by playing Franklin's rendition of "Think" on his iPhone and calling it the "key to freedom."

Jennifer Hudson performs during the funeral service for Aretha Franklin at Greater Grace Temple, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Detroit.AP
Mildred Gaddis speaks during the funeral service for Aretha Franklin at Greater Grace Temple, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Detroit.AP
Jennifer Hudson performs during the funeral service for Aretha Franklin at Greater Grace Temple, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Detroit.AP
Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II speaks during the funeral service for Aretha Franklin at Greater Grace Temple, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Detroit.AP
Fantasia Barrino-Taylor performs during the funeral service for Aretha Franklin at Greater Grace Temple, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Detroit.AP
Former President Bill Clinton smiles as he plays a recording of Aretha Franklin on his phone during the funeral service for Franklin at Greater Grace Temple.AP
Retired Judge Greg Mathis speaks during the funeral service for Aretha Franklin at Greater Grace Temple, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Detroit.AP
Former President Bill Clinton and wife Hillary Clinton, left, applaud during the funeral service for Aretha Franklin at Greater Grace Temple.AP
U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence speaks during the funeral service for Aretha Franklin at Greater Grace Temple, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Detroit.AP
Chaka Khan performs during the funeral service for Aretha Franklin at Greater Grace Temple, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Detroit.AP
Cicely Tyson speaks during the funeral service for Aretha Franklin at Greater Grace Temple, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Detroit.AP
Cicely Tyson speaks during the funeral service for Aretha Franklin at Greater Grace Temple, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Detroit.AP
Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., speaks during the funeral service for Aretha Franklin at Greater Grace Temple, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Detroit.AP
Jordan Franklin, left, pauses alongside his sister Victorie Franklin while speaking about their grandmother, Aretha Franklin, during the funeral service for the legendary singer.AP
Edward Franklin, son of Aretha Franklin, performs during the funeral service for his mother at Greater Grace Temple, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Detroit.AP
Family members hug during the funeral service for Aretha Franklin at Greater Grace Temple, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Detroit.AP
Pink Cadillacs line Seven Mile Road in front of Aretha Franklin's funeral at the Greater Grace Temple in on August 31, 2018, in Detroit, Michigan.none
The Clark sisters, Dorinda Clark Cole, left, and Karen Clark Sheard perform during the funeral service for Aretha Franklin at Greater Grace Temple, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018.AP
Former President Bill Clinton, right, talks with Rev. Jesse Jackson during the funeral service for Aretha Franklin at Greater Grace Temple, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Detroit.AP
Ariana Grande, left, laughs with Bishop Charles H. Ellis during the funeral service for Aretha Franklin at Greater Grace Temple, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Detroit.AP
Smokey Robinson blows a kiss during the funeral service for Aretha Franklin at Greater Grace Temple, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Detroit.AP
Detroit mayor Mike Duggan speaks during the funeral service for Aretha Franklin at Greater Grace Temple, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Detroit.AP
Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder speaks during the funeral service for Aretha Franklin at Greater Grace Temple, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Detroit.AP
Bishop P.A. Brooks speaks during the funeral service for Aretha Franklin at Greater Grace Temple, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Detroit.AP
Ariana Grande performs during the funeral service for Aretha Franklin at Greater Grace Temple, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Detroit.AP
Flowers sit atop the casket during the funeral service for Aretha Franklin at Greater Grace Temple, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Detroit.AP
Ariana Grande performs during the funeral service for Aretha Franklin at Greater Grace Temple, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Detroit.AP
Faith Hill performs during the funeral service for Aretha Franklin at Greater Grace Temple, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Detroit.AP
Rev. Jesse Jackson, right, consoles a family member as they pause at the casket of Aretha Franklin during her funeral service at Greater Grace Temple, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018.AP
A person holds a program during the funeral service for Aretha Franklin at Greater Grace Temple, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Detroit.AP
Faith Hill performs during the funeral service for Aretha Franklin at Greater Grace Temple, Friday, Aug. 31, 2018, in Detroit.AP
Aretha Franklin's casket arrives for the viewing at the New Bethel Baptist Church on August 30, 2018, in Detroit, Michigan.Creative Content
Mourners attend Aretha Franklin's funeral at Greater Grace Temple on August 31, 2018, in Detroit, Michigan.Creative Content
An Aretha Franklin memorial is seen outside New Bethel Baptist Church on August 30, 2018, in Detroit, Michigan.Creative Content
The casket of Aretha Franklin arrives at the Greater Grace Temple in advance of her funeral on August 31, 2018, in Detroit, Michigan.Creative Content
Former US presidential candidate Hillary Clinton and singer Ariana Grande attend Aretha Franklin's funeral at Greater Grace Temple on August 31, 2018.Creative Content
Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (C) attends the funeral for Aretha Franklin at the Greater Grace Temple on August 31, 2018, in Detroit, Michigan.Creative Content
Former President Bill Clinton and religious leaders Louis Farrakhan, Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson attend the funeral for Aretha Franklin at the Greater Grace Temple.Creative Content
Former US President Bill Clinton takes a picture with singer Ariana Grande and her fiancee Pete Davidson at Aretha Franklin's funeral at Greater Grace Temple.Creative Content
Former US President Bill Clinton (L) and former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (C) attend Aretha Franklin's funeral at Greater Grace Temple on August 31, 2018.Creative Content


The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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