On Friday (Mar 25), Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin thrilled guests at her lavish 69th birthday bash at the Park Lane Hotel in New York City on Friday by serenading them with a brief performance with former Temptations front-man Dennis Edwards.
Onlookers joined Edwards in wishing Ms. Franklin well with a personalized version of “My Girl.” It went a little something like this: “I guess … you’ll say … what can make me feel this way …. Aretha, Aretha, Aretha …” And then the woman of the hour took the mic.
Franklin launched into a mini duet with Edwards, performing a rousing rendition of “The Way We Were.” Edwards then led the party to sing Happy Birthday before Franklin cut her elaborate birthday cake. As one party-goer put it, “Detroit took over New York City this evening!”
Other celebs in the building to help Aretha celebrate her birthday were Tony Bennett, Smokey Robinson, Bette Midler, Clive Davis, Rev. Al Sharpton, Gayle King, Star Jones, Michael Imperioli and Wendy Williams.
Happy Birthday Ms. Franklin!