Aretha Franklin received a posthumous special citation from the Pulitzer Prize committee, placing the soul titan in a prestigious class of musicians previously recognised, including Duke Ellington, George Gershwin, Hank Williams, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk and Bob Dylan. Franklin, who died in August at age 76, was recognised "for her indelible contribution to American music and culture for more than five decades." AMY SANCETTA/AP Aretha Franklin died on August 16, 2018, at her home in Detroit. Times music critic Mark Swed lauded it as "ineffably moving." READ MORE:* Aretha Franklin film Amazing Grace to finally see the light* Madonna's rambling Aretha Franklin tribute at MTV VMA's earns backlash* Trump could do with showing a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T* Aretha Franklin: A timeline of major events in the life of the Queen of Soul* New Zealand musicians celebrate the 'Queen of Soul' Aretha Franklin* 'Queen of Soul' Aretha Franklin dies from pancreatic cancerSpecial citations have been awarded 45 times since the Pulitzers began in 1918, with Franklin's award coming as the 15th presented to a musician.

Source: Stuff April 16, 2019 00:45 UTC