AUBURN HILLS, Mich. (AP) — The Queen of Soul came out to watch King James — and Dwyane Wade, too.
Aretha Franklin was on hand Friday night when LeBron James and the Miami Heat visited the Detroit Pistons. She sat in the second row next to the Rev. Jesse Jackson and said at halftime she hopes to resume her public schedule in May — probably at New York’s Radio City Music Hall.
“Probably starting at Radio City, reschedule what I had to cancel,” she said.
The Pistons game was believed to be one of Franklin’s first public appearances since undergoing surgery Dec. 2 for an undisclosed ailment. Franklin announced in November that she would be canceling all concert dates and personal appearances through May on doctors’ orders.
Neither Franklin nor her publicist have said what was ailing the 68-year-old singer, but she was in good spirits Friday.
“I’m feeling really great,” she said. “Loving the game, loving the game.”
At a break in play in the first quarter, the big screen above the court showed Franklin while a couple of her songs played over the P.A. system. She waved as the crowd cheered.
A few players visited with her and Jackson at the half.
When asked if she was at The Palace of Auburn Hills to watch James, Franklin seemed more impressed with LeBron’s teammate. Wade scored 16 points in the first half.
“I see Dwyane Wade,” she said. “He is really on tonight. Dwyane Wade is on tonight.”
Franklin is one of the most honored singers in American history, having won numerous Grammys, the National Medal of Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. She also has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.
