Aretha Franklin recently cancelled two May concert engagements and has now been forced to clear her June performance schedule in order to undergo unspecified medical treatment.
The 71-year-old singer initially pulled out of a May 20th Chicago gig and a planned event slated for May 26th at the MGM Grand Theater at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut.
Franklin’s publicist notified three additional show promoters that health issues have forced the singing star to clear her calender for the entire month of June. A Michigan engagement and two Canadian performances have now been cancelled — including a June 26th headliner appearance at the Ottawa Jazz Festival.
Festival director Catherine O’Grady made this announcement: “We are incredibly disappointed. I’ve been working on this deal for a very, very long time. It’s doctor’s orders, she’s really not well.”
The icon last took an extended break from performing in late 2010 when she underwent a medical procedure that her doctor claimed would add 15-20 years to her life. She dropped 85 pounds following surgery that she later acknowledged did facilitate the weight loss but “was not a gastric bypass procedure.”
One gig that the Queen of Soul did keep last week, via satellite, was for the season finale of ‘American Idol,’ where she performed a medley of her hits with the Top 5 contestants providing backup vocals.
Check it out below:
Photo: Dominic Chan-WENN