Aretha Franklin says she has plans to retire later this year.
Franklin told Detroit’s WDIV Local 4 that she planned to record a final album for release in September. “I must tell you, I am retiring this year,” she said.
The new album will feature production by Stevie Wonder, and as Franklin tells, will be an ode to Detroit. Original works are being composed for the album, all to be recorded in the Motor City.
“I feel very, very enriched and satisfied with respect to where my career came from and where it is now,” Franklin said. “I’ll be pretty much satisfied but I’m not going to go anywhere and just sit down and do nothing. That wouldn’t be good either.”
The artist says that she will be open to “some select things, many one a month, for six months out of the year.”
Franklin, who turns 75 this year, has battled with health problems in recent times.
