The days the music died: A look at funerals of the greats
NEW YORK (AP) — Elvis, Whitney, Prince, Biggie and, now, Aretha: The funerals and public memorials of music royalty have been as varied as the work they created, from small family affairs to days of tributes as huge in death as they lived their lives.
One Aretha Franklin fan said it best as she made her way to the front of a Detroit museum Tuesday to pay her respects.
"I know people are sad, but it's just celebrating — people dancing and singing her music," said Chicagoan Tammy Gibson, who arrived at 5:30 a.m. "I saw the gold-plated casket — it dawned on me: She's gone, but her legacy and her music will live on forever."
A look at the sometimes elaborate send-offs for some of the industry's greats:
JAMES BROWN
He died Dec. 25, 2006.