Janet Jackson’s special tribute to Aretha Franklin following the legend’s death

“She lived down the street from my family and her kids used to come over to our house to play and we’d go to hers,” Jackson told us on Thursday (August 16) after the news of Franklin’s death surfaced. “I remember her with the red hair, the shoulder length hair, and her answering the door and this one day, in particular, I don’t know why [but] she had on a white midriff and a white skirt and she opened the door and there she was, Ms. Aretha Franklin.”

Jackson, who was in town to promote her new single, “Made For Now,” also shared her appreciation for the late icon’s moving body of work. “It’s sad, you know? She’s still here with us. Her music will live on forever and what a voice and a great body of work. She inspired so many people and will continue to inspire generations to come,” she continued.

Franklin passed away on Thursday “due to advance pancreatic cancer of the neuroendocrine type” in Detroit, where she was surrounded by her friends and family, as per the Associated Press. Her family released a statement, calling Franklin’s death “one of the darkest moments of [their] lives.” “We have lost the matriarch and rock of our family. The love she had for her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins knew no bounds,” the statement read.

Record executive Clive Davis is reportedly planning an all-star tribute concert titled “Clive Davis Presents: A Tribute to Aretha Franklin” on November 14 at New York City’s Madison Square Garden to honor the late icon.