Fred Nelson III, right, served as Aretha Franklin’s music director and conductor from 2011 until her death on Aug. 16, 2018. (Courtesy Fred Nelson III)
Meet Fred Nelson III, the Chicago man who performed with Aretha Franklin more than 200 times in the last years of her life.  
Aretha Franklin performs in a 1985 WTTW production of “Soundstage.”

The iconic “Queen of Soul” died Thursday at her home in Detroit after battling pancreatic cancer. Two of her friends share stories about her life and legacy.