Aretha Franklin to be honoured at American Music Awards

The American Music Awards will be honouring the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin.

Soul and gospel stars Gladys Knight, Ledisi, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, CeCe Winans and musical director Rickey Minor will pay tribute to Franklin's gospel roots and her iconic album, 'Amazing Grace', at the October 9 event.

Franklin died last month. She won six AMAs throughout her career and also hosted the show in 1976 and 1983.

"We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the American Music Awards, dick clark productions and American Music Awards producer, Larry Klein, for honouring Aretha Franklin with a musical tribute for this year's broadcast," Sabrina Owens, Franklin's niece and executor of the Aretha Franklin Estate, said in a statement issued to Variety.

"We still remember when Aretha won her first American Music Award in 1976 for Favorite Female Artist Soul/R&B, and throughout the years, she went on to win five more awards and we will never forget when she hosted the show; as well as her memorable performances. Dick Clark helped to revolutionize American music, and along the way, Aretha Franklin was part of that revolution," she added.

Knight said she was excited to participate in the performance.

"It's a blessing to be a part of this moving musical tribute to honour our late queen and sister, Aretha. She was an icon and visionary, radiated light and love through all of her life's work, and touched all of us through her incredible gift of music," she said.