Aretha Franklin Celebrates her 69th Birthday!

Aretha Franklin celebrated her 69th birthday in New York city last Thursday, with a large crowd of celebrities, friends, family, and huge cake! After losing 85lbs, the Queen of Soul surely deserves a little treat.

During the evening she gave a brief but rousing performance in front of her friends at a Central Park hotel.

Tony Bennett, Smokey Robinson, music mogul Clive Davis, Bette Midler and Gayle King were among the celebrities on hand to pay tribute to her.

"It's a fabulous moment," said Aretha Franklin.

Jazz musician Roy Ayers, singer Nnenna Freelon, and Tito Puente all gave mini-concerts in honor of Aretha Franklin's birthday.