Pop and Rock Star Deaths in 2018

Aretha Franklin

Band: solo performer

Position: vocals/piano

Died: Aug. 16

Cause of death: pancreatic cancer

Age: 76

Distinction: Known as the "Queen of Soul," she had No. 1 hits with "Respect" (1967) and "I Knew You Were Waiting for Me" with George Michael (1987). The rest of her Top 10 hits were: "Chain of Fools" (No. 2, 1967), "Spanish Harlem" (No. 2, 1971), "Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gong to Do)" (No. 3, 1973), "Freeway of Love" (No. 3, 1983), "Baby I Love You" (No. 4, 1967),  "(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone" (No. 5, 1967), "Day Dreaming" (No. 5, 1972), "The House That Jack Built" (No. 6, 1968), "Bridge Over Troubled Water" (No. 6, 1970), "Think" (No, 7, 1967), "Who's Zoomin' Who" (No. 7, 1983), "You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" (No. 8, 1967), "I've Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)" (No. 9, 1967), "Rock Steady" (No. 9, 1971) and "I Say a Little Prayer" (No. 10, 1968). She famously performed "Think" in The Blues Brothers movie (1980). Franklin was the first women inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

Steve Bloom

Steve Bloom

Publisher of CelebStoner.com, former editor of High Times and Freedom Leaf and co-author of Pot Culture and Reefer Movie Madness.