Rock Hall to honor Aretha Franklin with series (AP)

NEW YORK – Aretha Franklin is already a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but this fall, she'll be honored by the hall once again, as part of its American Music Masters series.

The Queen of Soul will be the subject of a week-long celebration by the hall and Case Western Reserve University. It kicks off Oct. 31, includes an all-day symposium and ends with an all-star tribute concert on Nov. 5. Performers for that show have yet to be announced.

In a statement released Tuesday, the 69-year-old Franklin said she was "thrilled and delighted" to be honored and planned to take part in the festivities.

Franklin returned to the concert scene this year after surgery for an undisclosed condition.

Past honorees include Bessie Smith, Les Paul, Janis Joplin and Woody Guthrie.

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http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/ap/ap_en_mu/storytext/us_music_aretha_franklin/42680421/SIG=10lle5v9r/*http://www.case.edu.

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Franklin criticizes songwriter over rights lawsuit (AP)

DETROIT – Aretha Franklin says she's "extremely disappointed" over a lawsuit filed by her longtime songwriting partner over song royalties from her latest CD and copyright infringement.

Norman West of Lansing filed the suit July 15 against the Queen of Soul's publishing company in Detroit federal court.

The suit claims Springtime Publishing Inc. failed to sign a royalty agreement for "Put It Back Together Again." The song is on Franklin's "Aretha: A Woman Falling Out of Love" CD, released in May.

The suit also claims copyright infringement over an earlier song, "Watch My Back."

Franklin didn't immediately respond when news of the suit broke. But she issued a statement Tuesday saying West has "unmitigated gall" considering how she's "personally assisted and advised him over the past 15 years."

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Aretha Franklin sings for Oprah at farewell show (AP)

CHICAGO – Aretha Franklin sang "Amazing Grace" to Oprah Winfrey during the talk show queen's farewell show.

The music legend came onstage in a white, one-shouldered gown for her performance. She was introduced by Winfrey's longtime partner, Stedman Graham. Franklin was one of several musical acts at Tuesday night's "Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular" at Chicago's United Center.

Franklin's performance was punctuated by applause from the crowd of 13,000. She danced back and forth on the stage, clapping her hands and waving her arms. Winfrey went on stage near the end of the song and the two embraced.

Franklin underwent surgery several months ago for an ailment she has declined to disclose.

Earlier during the taping, poet Maya Angelou recited a special poem for Winfrey accompanied by musician Alicia Keyes.

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Aretha Franklin Denies Gastric Bypass Rumors

Aretha Franklin has shed a shocking amount of weight in recent months, but the singer isn't about to share her slenderizing secrets just yet.

At age 68, Franklin has lost a whopping 85 pounds, but tells Access Hollywood that her newly slim figure was not the result of weight-loss surgery.

When asked point-blank whether or not she had undergone a gastric bypass, Franklin responded, "Definitely not, and would not."

The singer, who, according to multiple sources, was suffering from pancreatic cancer last year, said of those rumors, "I don't have to talk about my health with anybody other than my doctors," adding only, "The problem has been resolved."

What Franklin has revealed is her desire to continue making progress by adopting a healthier lifestyle. "It's just really hard.

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