Respect! Aretha Franklin Honored with Detroit Amphitheater Tribute, Replacing Name of 18th Century Slave Owners

Detroit’s Chene Park around the Detroit River is no more.

Detroit’s City Council unanimously approved a solution designed to rename Chene Park honoring the late Aretha Franklin. Chene Park will become Aretha Louise Franklin Amphitheater. What an amazing tribute.

Detroit mayor Mike Duggan announced his intention to make the change at Aretha’s funeral last Friday.

Chene was originally named for the French slave owner Charles Chene, who lived from 1732-1805. He was the initial person who owns the land. The advance is long overdue, and incredible honor.

Chene Park started out as a small stage where individuals sat on blankets around the river. Now it’s a thriving entertainment center which has a beautiful setting. It’s also near the luxury apartment complex where Aretha died on August 16th.

“Aretha Louise Franklin was a life-long Detroiter, internationally beloved and acclaimed musician, and inspiration to multiple generations of music-lovers,” the resolution reads. “Her well-known support and activism towards advancing civil rights and women’s rights is actually a legacy that mirrors the ideals of town of Detroit and it is residents.”

The park was the internet site of an monumental free concert last Thursday night in memory of Aretha that featured Jean Carne, Sarah Dash, an outstanding dance number from Aretha’s famed choreographer friend George Faison, Regina Belle, a few Tops among others.