Taylor Swift Honors Aretha Franklin With Moment Of Silence At Detroit Gig

Ron Dicker
Updated

As Detroit mourned the death of hometown hero Aretha Franklin, Taylor Swift made sure the Queen of Soul got her props at a concert the pop star gave in the city on Tuesday.

She asked a sold-out crowd at Ford Field to honor Franklin with a moment of silence.

“Last week we lost an irreplaceable force,” she told fans, according to outlets. “Aretha Franklin did so much for music, she did so much for women’s rights, she did so much for civil rights.”

Swift, who was once overwhelmed by Franklin singing a soulful “Happy Birthday” to her, appeared determined to make sure that the memory of the diva took center stage during her concert. Franklin died on Aug. 16 at age 76 after battling pancreatic cancer.

“She was one of those people where no matter what you said, no matter what glowing positive thing you said about her, it would be an understatement,” Swift said. “Words could never, ever describe how many things she did in her lifetime that made our world a better place. And this is her home.”

Mourners attended a public viewing of Franklin’s body on Tuesday at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. A private service is scheduled for Friday.

“I would like it if we could have a moment of silence so that every single one of us could reflect on our love and respect for her and everything that she did in her life,” Swift said. “So if we could please cut the lights, we’ll have a moment of silence for Aretha.”

When the moment passed, Swift said: “We love you, Aretha.”

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story incorrectly named the day of Franklin’s death.

Also on HuffPost

Aretha Franklin in 1971.
Aretha Franklin in 1971.
Posing for a portrait lying on a couch circa 1973.
Posing for a portrait lying on a couch circa 1973.
Circa 1968.
Circa 1968.
In 1970.
In 1970.
Smoking a cigarette as she works in the studio by a microphone at Muscle Shoals Studios in 1969 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
Smoking a cigarette as she works in the studio by a microphone at Muscle Shoals Studios in 1969 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
Performing in an undated photo.
Performing in an undated photo.
Posing for a portrait circa 1965.
Posing for a portrait circa 1965.
Posing for a portrait circa 1965.
Posing for a portrait circa 1965.
Appearing on "The Andy Williams Show" in 1969.
Appearing on "The Andy Williams Show" in 1969.
Posing for a portrait circa 1967.
Posing for a portrait circa 1967.
At the Muhammad Ali Variety Special in 1975.
At the Muhammad Ali Variety Special in 1975.
Singing circa 1972.
Singing circa 1972.
Wearing a leather jacket in a 1990 portrait.
Wearing a leather jacket in a 1990 portrait.
Performing on stage in 1968.
Performing on stage in 1968.
Portrait in 1973.
Portrait in 1973.
At a news conference in 1973.
At a news conference in 1973.
Standing backstage wearing a gold embroidered gown and holding a Grammy Award, circa 1970.
Standing backstage wearing a gold embroidered gown and holding a Grammy Award, circa 1970.
Holding her Grammy Award for Best Rhythm and Blues performance of the song "Bridge Over Troubled Water," in 1972.
Holding her Grammy Award for Best Rhythm and Blues performance of the song "Bridge Over Troubled Water," in 1972.
Alongside Rev. Jesse Jackson at the Operation PUSH Soul Picnic at the 142nd Street Armory in New York in 1972.
Alongside Rev. Jesse Jackson at the Operation PUSH Soul Picnic at the 142nd Street Armory in New York in 1972.
Performing with James Brown at the Taboo nightclub in Detroit in 1987.
Performing with James Brown at the Taboo nightclub in Detroit in 1987.
Reviewing a copy of her album "Aretha Franklin -- Soul '69" at Atlantic Records studios in 1969 in New York City.
Reviewing a copy of her album "Aretha Franklin -- Soul '69" at Atlantic Records studios in 1969 in New York City.
Performing onstage at the New Victoria Theater in the United Kingdom circa 1980.
Performing onstage at the New Victoria Theater in the United Kingdom circa 1980.
During the 59th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City in 2005.
During the 59th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City in 2005.
In 1968.
In 1968.
At the rehearsal for the "Aretha Franklin: Duets" concert to benefit the Gay Men's Health Crisis at New York's Nederlander Theatre in 1993.
At the rehearsal for the "Aretha Franklin: Duets" concert to benefit the Gay Men's Health Crisis at New York's Nederlander Theatre in 1993.
Holding up her American Music Awards trophy in one hand and her shoes in the other as she poses for photographers backstage at the 10th annual American Music Awards. 
Holding up her American Music Awards trophy in one hand and her shoes in the other as she poses for photographers backstage at the 10th annual American Music Awards. 
Singing outside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., during President Bill Clinton's inauguration in 1993.
Singing outside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., during President Bill Clinton's inauguration in 1993.
Performing in 1989 at a casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Performing in 1989 at a casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
With Arista Records chief Clive Davis at New York's Plaza Hotel for a pre-Grammy party thrown by Davis in 1997.
With Arista Records chief Clive Davis at New York's Plaza Hotel for a pre-Grammy party thrown by Davis in 1997.
Rehearsing with the Blues Brothers at Radio City Music Hall in New York City for the 40th Annual Grammy Awards. 
Rehearsing with the Blues Brothers at Radio City Music Hall in New York City for the 40th Annual Grammy Awards. 
Performing at "VH1 Divas Live: The One and Only Aretha Franklin" held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City in 2001.
Performing at "VH1 Divas Live: The One and Only Aretha Franklin" held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City in 2001.

Love HuffPost? Become a founding member of HuffPost Plus today.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost.