Happy birthday aretha franklin!

[sunshineonacloudyday]

Happy Birthday and many blessed returns to The Queen of Soul! #69

http://http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2011/03/24/2011-03-24_aretha_franklin_has_big_plans_for_her_69th_birt hday_in_new_york_following_tradit.html

[REDHOT]

Yes,happy b-day miss lady soul ,aretha franklin,here's hoping that you have many more.

[marv2]

Happy Birthday to the Queen! Ms. Aretha Franklin!

[GeeTee(HPK)]

Happy Birthday Queen !

[daddyacey]

Happy Birthday to Her Majesty Aretha. Continued success in your attention to your health and well being. May God continue to bless you, just as you have used his gift ,to share with and bless us.

[motown4ever]

Happy Birthday to the one & only Queen of Soul, love ya Aretha!!!

[marv2]

http://www.boston.com/ae/celebrity/a...irthday_party/

Franklin dances, sings at 69th birthday party

By Nekesa Mumbi Moody
AP Music Writer / March 26, 2011

NEW YORK—Aretha Franklin proved her voice is still divine at 69 as she gave a brief but rousing performance at a swank birthday party in her honor.

Tony Bennett, Smokey Robinson, music mogul Clive Davis, Bette Midler and Gayle King were among the celebrities on hand to pay tribute to the Queen of Soul on Friday night at a late-night birthday party at a Central Park Hotel.

"It's a fabulous moment," said Franklin, showing off her noticeably thinner frame in a flowing white and gold gown as she sat at a table with several gifts.

Bennett, who called Franklin "one of a kind" was one of those who came with a present -- and his was unique.

"I also paint, so she knows about that," he said. "A long time ago, she said, 'I'd love to have you do a painting of me,' and I remembered that, and when I heard I was coming here, I just knocked off a quick sketch tonight and gave it to her tonight."

More than 100 friends and family gathered to celebrate Franklin, who just a few months ago underwent surgery for an ailment she has declined to disclose. In recent weeks, she's made more public appearances and is set to resume her stage performances in May. At the party, Franklin seemed full of energy, greeting guests and dancing to the music.

Franklin wasn't billed as the evening's entertainment. Instead, she had other acclaimed musicians on hand to perform for her: jazz musician Roy Ayers, singer Nnenna Frelon, and Tito Puente Jr. all gave mini-concerts at the soiree.

But after former Temptations frontman Dennis Edwards serenaded her with a couple of riveting songs, she joined him and they both sang "The Way We Were."

Afterward, Edwards and the crowd sang "Happy Birthday" to Franklin, and she cut her birthday cake.

The Detroit native planned to stay in New York for at least a day more, but don't expect much more celebrating for Franklin.

"I will be in a horizontal position tomorrow, all day!" she said.