Aretha Franklin will no longer sing at Whitney Houston's funeral

NEW YORK — Aretha Franklin believed Whitney Houston had overcome her demons and was primed for a comeback, which made learning of the troubled singer's death all the more shocking. Franklin said she was watching

A choir had guests swaying to gospel music in the crowded New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, where Houston first honed her wide vocal range as a young choir singer with her mother Cissy Houston, a backup singer for Aretha Franklin. "Whitney returns

Whitney Houston, who ruled as pop music's queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behavior and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, died Saturday. She was 48. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill) ARETHA FRANKLIN

NEWARK, NJ — Aretha Franklin and Stevie Wonder will sing at the private funeral of Whitney Houston on Saturday in what promises to be a very musical service. Publicist Kristen Foster also confirms that invitations went out to Houston's ex-husband,

Baptist Church in Newark, where Houston honed her wide vocal range as a young choral singer with her mother Cissy Houston, a backup singer for Aretha Franklin. "Whitney returns home today to the place where it all began," said actor Kevin Costner,