Aretha Franklin has died at the age of 76 after losing her battle with pancreatic cancer.

The 'Queen of Soul' had been gravely ill for several days and reportedly passed away today at her home in Detroit, surrounded by her family and friends.

She had been in ill health since 2010 - canceling a number of gigs to have emergency surgery that year - but only recently went into hospice care.

A source close to Aretha recently told TMZ they had been informed a week prior to "prepare yourself, she’s dying."

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The 'insider' also revealed to the news site that the I Knew You Were Waiting singer was down to 86 pounds and that they had been told "she could go any time."

Aretha - who became the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 - had announced last year that she was retiring from music, much to the dismay of her many fans.

The A-lister songstress was best-known for her hit songs Respect, (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman and I Say a Little Prayer.

The beloved star won a total of 18 Grammy Awards and established herself as one of the best-selling musical artists of all time with an impressive career spanning over five decades.

The world has lost a colossal figure in the realm of music and culture.

Quincy Jones, the legendary musician and producer who shaped the careers of icons like Michael Jackson and Frank Sinatra, has died at the age of 91.

Quincy Jones has died aged 91. Credit: Arnold Turner / Getty

His publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed that Jones passed away peacefully on Sunday night at his home in Bel Air, BBC News reports.

Jones' family released a heartfelt statement expressing their profound sense of loss but also celebrating the extraordinary life he led.

"Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing. And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him," the family's statement read.

Jones, whose career spanned over 75 years, was an architect of modern music, having won a staggering 28 Grammy awards. His influence was so significant that Time magazine named him one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century.

Jones helped shape the careers of many of the industry's greatest stars. Credit: Greg Doherty / Getty

He was pivotal in redefining how we understand music production, especially noted for producing Michael Jackson's Thriller, the best-selling album of all time.

And Jones' collaboration with Sinatra transformed the classic 'Fly Me To The Moon' from a waltz into a swinging hit that continues to stand the test of time.

Jones' impact was not confined to music alone. He left an indelible mark on film and television as well, producing the soundtrack for over 50 projects including the iconic 1969 film, The Italian Job. He also produced The Color Purple, a film that introduced Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg to a global audience, and was one of the masterminds behind the beloved TV show The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.

Jones and Michael Jackson in 1984. Credit: Bettmann / Getty

In 1985, he was instrumental in creating 'We Are the World', a song that brought together 46 of America's most famous singers to raise money for famine relief in Ethiopia. The record topped charts and became a defining moment of the decade, performed at the historic Live Aid concert that year.

Jones' legacy highlights a man who was a trailblazer - a man who broke barriers, becoming the first Black person to be nominated for an Oscar for best score - among many other accolades across entertainment, including Emmys, Tonys, and Oscars.

Survived by three ex-wives and seven children, including music producer Quincy Jones III and actress Rashida Jones, his family remembers him as "truly one of a kind" and assures that "through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones' heart will beat for eternity."

Tributes have poured in from all corners of the arts, from fans and colleagues alike.

Jones and Jennifer Hudson. Credit: Kevin Mazur / Getty

Playwright Jeremy O'Harris took to social media to remark on Jones' "limitless" contributions to American culture.

O'Harris wrote: "What couldn’t he do? Quincy Jones, literally born when the limits on how big a black boy could dream were unfathomably high, taught us that the limit does not exist. His contributions to American culture were limitless. First black person nominated for an Oscar for best score. First black person nominated later twice in the same year. The producer of inarguably the biggest albums of the 20th century. An EGOT."

Quincy Jones was more than just a musician; he was a visionary. As we bid farewell to one of the greatest creative minds in the entertainment industry, it's safe to say that his melodies will continue to echo for generations to come.

Our thoughts go out to Jones' family, friends, and fans at this time.

Featured image credit: Arnold Turner / Getty

The legendary rock singer Meat Loaf has died at the age of 74.

The news was confirmed by the singer's family in a Facebook post shared on Friday morning. The post read:

"Our hearts are broken to announce that the incomparable Meat Loaf passed away tonight surrounded by his wife Deborah, daughters Pearl and Amanda and close friends.

"His amazing career spanned 6 decades that saw him sell over 100 Million albums worldwide and star in over 65 movies, including 'Fight Club', 'Focus', 'Rocky Horror Picture Show' and 'Wayne’s World'.

"'Bat Out of Hell' remains one of the top 10 selling albums of all time."

The post continued: "We know how much he meant to so many of you and we truly appreciate all of the love and support as we move through this time of grief in losing such an inspiring artist and beautiful man.

"We thank you for your understanding of our need for privacy at this time."

Finally, the statement concluded: "From his heart to your souls…don’t ever stop rocking!"

Meat Loaf was born Marvin Lee Aday in Dallas, Texas on September 27, 1947. He legally changed his name from Marvin to Michael in 1984. (In 2003, he revealed to The Guardian that he changed his name after being teased as a child over a Levi's radio advert that featured the line: "Poor fat Marvin can't wear Levi's".)

He developed a love of performing during his time at Thomas Jefferson High School, taking part in school productions like Where's Charley? and The Music Man. He would graduate from high school in 1965.

In his autobiography, Meat Loaf: To Hell and Back, Aday revealed that the name "Meat Loaf" came from one of his old football coaches, who gave him the nickname because of his size.

Following the death of his mother, Aday traveled to Los Angeles where he formed the band Meat Loaf Soul. Despite being offered several recording contracts, the band turned them all down and continued to play around the state. After several name changes and band member changes, Aday eventually quit the band in order to join the cast of a touring production of the musical Hair.

This fateful role eventually led to a record offer from Motown Records.

His career surged throughout the 1970s, starting with the release of the 1971 album, Stoney & Meatloaf - which he released with fellow Hair cast member Shaun "Stoney" Murphy. Although the album failed to chart, it was only the beginning of Meat Loaf's everlasting impact on the music industry.

Following his performance in the 1973 stage production of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Meat Loaf was picked to reprise his role as Eddie for the 1975 movie.

Meat Loaf's first solo album, Bat Out of Hell, was released in 1977 to overwhelming success.

It has since sold more than 43 million copies worldwide and has been certified 14 times Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. The album featured beloved tracks such as 'Two Out of Three Ain't Bad' and, of course, 'Bat Out of Hell'.

However, his newfound stardom led to battles with cocaine and alcohol. In his own words, Meat Loaf said: "I was nuts. I mostly turned it inward. And it was all over being famous. I didn't want people to call me a star."

Despite support from his wife Leslie Edmunds, who he married in 1978, his relationship with collaborator Jim Steinman became fraught.

Steinman composed all the songs for Meat Loaf's 1981 follow-up album, Dead Ringer, but played no further part in its production. Once again, the album was a success, hitting number 1 in the UK album charts.

By 1993, Meat Loaf and Steinman had repaired their relationship and released the album Bat Out of Hell II. The duo's iconic gothic operatic rock sound led to the album reaching the top of the charts in the US, UK, and Australia.

The album also featured the single 'I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)', which reached number 1 in 28 countries. The track also led to Meat Loaf winning a Grammy Award for Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance.

Meat Loaf and Edmunds divorced in 2001, but he once again found love with Deborah Gillespie. The two married in 2007.

The singer was also a father to two daughters. Pearl was Edmunds' daughter from a previous relationship, and Meat Loaf adopted her as a child and she took the last name Aday. His second daughter Amanda, whom he shares with Edmunds, was born in 1981.

He is survived by his wife Deborah and daughters Pearl and Amanda.

Our thoughts are with Aday's family, friends, and fans at this time.

Featured image credit: Michael Bush / Alamy

Bill Walton - an NBA legend both on and off of the court - has sadly died at the age of 71.

The news was confirmed by NBA commissioner Adam Silver, who described Walton as "truly one of a kind" in a statement.

"What I will remember most about him was his zest for life," Silver added. "He was a regular presence at league events -- always upbeat, smiling ear to ear, and looking to share his wisdom and warmth.

"I treasured our close friendship, envied his boundless energy, and admired the time he took with every person he encountered.

"As a cherished member of the NBA family for 50 years, Bill will be deeply missed by all those who came to know and love him."

Per the New York Post, Walton passed away following a battle with cancer.

The 6-foot-11 Walton had the honor of being selected No. 1 overall in the 1974 NBA Draft, following a groundbreaking start at UCLA under John Wooden.

On Monday, UCLA coach Mick Cronin said of the late Walton: "It's very hard to put into words what he has meant to UCLA's program, as well as his tremendous impact on college basketball.

"Beyond his remarkable accomplishments as a player, it's his relentless energy, enthusiasm for the game and unwavering candor that have been the hallmarks of his larger than life personality.

From there, he enjoyed a 10-season career playing for the Portland Trail Blazers, the San Diego and eventually LA Clippers, and Boston Celtics.

Sadly, Walton's career was hindered by repeated foot injuries, meaning he only had the opportunity to play a total of 468.

Nevertheless, he took his rightful place in the NBA Hall of Fame in 1993.

Off the court, Walton delighted viewers as a broadcaster, working for CBS, NBC, and ESPN.

Silver closed his tribute to Walton by saying: "As a Hall of Fame player, he redefined the center position. His unique all-around skills made him a dominant force at UCLA and led to an NBA regular-season and Finals MVP, two NBA championships and a spot on the NBA’s 50th and 75th Anniversary Teams.

Bill then translated his infectious enthusiasm and love for the game to broadcasting, where he delivered insightful and colorful commentary which entertained generations of basketball fans. 

“But what I will remember most about him was his zest for life. He was a regular presence at league events — always upbeat, smiling ear to ear and looking to share his wisdom and warmth. I treasured our close friendship, envied his boundless energy and admired the time he took with every person he encountered.”

Our thoughts go out to Walton's family, friends, and fans at this time.

Featured image credit: Allen Berezovsky / Getty

Harry Belafonte has sadly died at the age of 96.

As reported by The Mirror, the news of the legendary singer, actor, and civil rights activist's passing was confirmed by his spokesperson, Ken Sunshine.

Sunshine revealed that Belafonte died on Tuesday (April 25) at home in Manhattan after suffering from congestive heart failure.

Known as the "King of Calypso", Belafonte shot to fame in the 1950s in part thanks to his 1956 hit single 'The Banana Boat Song (Day-O)'. Additionally, his first album, Calypso, became the first LP ever to surpass 1 million sales and spent a whopping 31 weeks at the top of the charts.

Speaking to CBS News back in 2018 about the album's incredible success, Belafonte said: "I did it as part of what would become a larger display of the music of various cultures around the world."

"I had had a deep interest in Africa and a deep interest in Latin America, but I got only to Calypso and then the world stopped," he added. "I woke up one day and everyone was singing ‘Day-O'."

Belafonte continued: "Most of my family in the Caribbean, in Jamaica, were plant workers and harvesting bananas and sugarcane and all the crops. That was our mainstay and as a kid everybody sang the 'Banana Boat.'

"Singing was a big part of the culture. It helped with the tediousness of working in the sun all day long."

But many will also Belafonte for his contributions outside of the entertainment world.

Becoming a fundraiser, key strategist, activist, and mediator for the civil rights movement - often at risk of his career in entertainment -  Belafonte became a close friend of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Belafonte also recalled spending time with Luther King Jr. prior to his assassination, during which, MLK told the singer: "I’ve come upon something that disturbs me deeply. We have fought hard and long for integration, as I believe we should have, and I know we will win, but I have come to believe that we are integrating into a burning house.

"I’m afraid that America has lost the moral vision she may have had, and I’m afraid that even as we integrate, we are walking into a place that does not understand that this nation needs to be deeply concerned with the plight of the poor and disenfranchised."

CNN describes Belafonte as a "voracious reader with a burning disdain for injustice", who was shaped by his childhood as the son of a poor Jamaican mother.

When asked why he chose to become an activist and move away from being an artist, Belafonte once said: "I was an activist long before I became an artist. They both service each other, but the activism is first.”

Throughout his career, Belafonte became a three-time Grammy award winner - but he was also a well-respected actor and stage performer.

He would receive a Tony Award for his role in the Broadway revue John Murray Anderson's Almanac, and walked the boards again in the 1955 Broadway revue 3 for Tonight.

Belafonte would also become the first Jamaican American in history to win an Emmy award, for his Revlon Revue: Tonight with Belafonte.

Our thoughts go out to Belafonte's family, friends, fans, and supporters at this time...

Featured image credit: dpa picture alliance / Alamy