Rock Hall to honor Aretha Franklin with series

In this July 26, 2010 file photo, Aretha Franklin is shown in Philadelphia. Franklin will be the subject of a week-long celebration by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Case Western University. 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 October 31, includes an all-day symposium and ends with an all-star tribute concert on November 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.