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Aretha Franklin was honored at the 2018 American Music Awards with a tribute to the Queen of Soul.
Seven weeks after his death, Franklin was celebrated on Tuesday by his long-time friend, Gladys Knight, who directed a tribute to the gospel.
After a video chronicling Franklin's long history with the AMA, Knight headed for the organ before embarking on a moving performance of "Amazing Grace" that had visibly shocked the audience.
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Knight was then joined by Ledisi, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, CeCe Winans and Music Director Rickey Minor, as they paid tribute to Franklin's evangelical roots and his 1972 album, amazing Grace, which remains the best-selling gospel album ever.
Prior to the show, Knight revealed to Jessie James Decker and Zach Sang, pre-show hosts at AMA, how much she felt blessed to honor her childhood friend, an artist who will live for future generations.
Aretha Franklin tribute
Kevin Winter / Getty
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"I am very honored to know her since we were both girls," she said. "The fact that her music is so pure since all these years – she touched everyone with her music just because she chose her with her heart, she chose nothing to which she do not believe.
"It's the same thing in the industry, so we had these things in common," she added. "She deserves this recognition, this tribute, all these things to have stayed so long."
Gladys Knight
Kevin Winter / Getty
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Franklin died Aug. 19 from an advanced pancreatic cancer of the neuroendocrine type. She was 76 years old.
The icon, who last played on the AMA scene in 1986, won six AMAs throughout his career and hosted the awards ceremony in 1976 and 1983.
Check out PEOPLE's complete AMA coverage for the latest news from one of the biggest nights of music.
"When I heard some of the initial ideas for the tribute, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that this tribute will remain as one of the best of American music, "said Sabrina Owens, Franklin's niece and executor of her heritage, to the Associated Press. in September.
"It's a blessing to be part of this moving musical tribute to our beloved queen and sister, Aretha. She was an icon and a visionary, she radiated light and love throughout her work and touched us all with her incredible gift of music, "said Knight in a statement at the premiere announcement. Franklin tribute.
After his death, Franklin was honored in several tributes.
Not only did Kelly Clarkson recently sing Franklin's classic "Respect" at the Las Vegas iHeartRadio, but Franklin was also honored as part of the In Memoriam segment at the 2018 Emmy Awards.
Aretha Franklin tribute
Frederick M. Brown / Getty
Steeve Wonder, Shirley Caesar, Chaka Khan, Chaol Khan, Yolanda Adams, Marvin Sapp and Vanessa Bell Armstrong also performed.
The 2018 American Music Awards are broadcast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Tuesday, October 9 at 8pm. AND.
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