Aretha Franklin - Aretha Franklin's Surprise Performance At Hall Of Fame Tribute

The legendary singer was the focus of a week-long tribute by the institution as part of the American Music Masters series, which has previously feted stars including Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis and Janis Joplin, and it culminated in a concert at the city's State Theater.

During the evening, Franklin was presented with a key to the city of Cleveland from Mayor Frank Jackson and an honourary doctorate from Case Western University, while stars including Chaka Khan and Lauryn Hill were among the performers.

After the curtain came down, Franklin thrilled the crowd by taking to the stage herself for a surprise performance with former The Temptations star Dennis Edwards, Jerry Butler, and Cissy Houston, telling the crowd, "I'd like to dedicate this to you and thank you all for coming tonight... I am here by the grace of God tonight. Grace is going to lead me on."