Hats were big draws at a sales event attended Saturday by several hundred people in Livonia, according to sales distributor Jill Pendergast.

They just kept coming in and going out,” she said.

One of Franklin’s gowns sold for $550.

Pendergast would not say who currently owned the items or how much was raised by the sale which ran from 9 a.m. to about 5 p.m. in a store west of Detroit.

Franklin has said she has no connection to the sale. The Grammy Award-winning artist said the items were left many years ago in a storage locker because she no longer wanted them.

Franklin’s choice in headwear has been a hot topic in recent years.

A gray, felt hat with a Swarovski rhinestone-bordered bow she wore while singing “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” at President Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration drew widespread attention and prompted hundreds of calls to the Detroit millinery shop where the hat was made.

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On the strength of hits like “Respect,” “Think,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” and “Chain of Fools.” Franklin became a staple on the Billboard charts and in 1987 became the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

Franklin was also the only featured singer at the inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2009.

As with many soul legends the hip-hop generation has loved recycling the work of Franklin to make their own classics. Check out some Franklin originals and the songs that sampled her:

“Think”

“Gas Face” by 3rd Bass

“One Step Ahead”

“Ms Fat Booty” by Mos Def

“Save Me”

“The Creator” Pete Rock & CL Smooth

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Aretha Franklin

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Below is the video:

RELATED:Keith Washington Issues Statement On Aretha Controversy

Kisses after Dark is hosted nightly by Keith Washington from 7pm – 10pm Monday through Friday on 105.9 FM and streamed live at kissdetroit.com. The live stream is always accessible to the public via our website at http://www.kissdetroit.com and has been since the inception of Kisses after dark with Keith Washington.

The phone conversation with Ms. Franklin and Keith Washington was originally streamed live on November 5, 2010. This is the day after the announcement was made that Ms. Franklin’s canceled all tour dates due to her health issues. At no time was this conversation played over the air as other media sources have erroneously claimed.

Because of the high volume of searches of “Aretha Franklin” on at kissdetroit.com, since the December 8, 2010 announcement regarding her health, the live stream link has gained prominence. The more it is searched the more prominent it becomes on the website. This live stream has been on the kissdetroit.com website since November 5, 2010. As of December 9, 2010 the status has been changed to private so the general public can’t access the live stream on our website. Radio One Detroit and Keith Washington who is a dear and close friend of Aretha Franklin would never intentionally take any action that would jeopardize our relationship with Ms Franklin.

Keith Washington Issues Statement On Aretha Controversy

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Leave Your Words Of Support For Aretha Franklin

Click on the video player below to watch reactions from Radio One Detroit’s Keith Washington and Ramona Prater. Follow http://twitter.com/kiss1059 for updates on this story.

At this time Franklin’s family says she is doing “OK”, but they are asking for the continued prayers and thoughts from the community. FOX 2′s Andrea Isom asked friends and fans for their reactions.

Click Here To Leave Your Words Of Support For Aretha Franklin

RELATED:Studio Camera Captures Personal Phone Call Between Keith Washington And Dear Friend Aretha Franklin

RELATED: DETROIT NEWS SOURCES CONFIRM: Aretha Franklin Has Cancer

The news came two days after the announcement that Franklin had been released over the weekend from a Detroit hospital following a brief stay. Publicist Tracey Jordan said Tuesday Franklin was “resting comfortably at home, but is anxious to get back on the road to perform for her countless fans around the world.”

Jordan wouldn’t say Thursday whether the events were related, nor did she offer any details about the 68-year-old Franklin’s condition.

“Her doctors have required her” to cancel the appearances, Jordan told The Associated Press.

It’s been a tumultuous several months for the Queen of Soul, whose hits include “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman,” ”Chain of Fools” and her signature song, “Respect.”

Her adult son, Eddie, was beaten by three men at a Detroit gas station in September. And a month earlier, she broke ribs in a fall, causing her to miss two free concerts in New York.

One of the shows now being canceled is a Christmas concert scheduled for Detroit’s Fox Theatre on Dec. 9. Theater operator Olympia Entertainment said the show was being called off “due to medical reasons.”

Franklin, one of the most honored singers in American history, has won numerous Grammys, the National Medal of Arts, the Presidential Medal of Freedom and has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

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The Grammy Award-winning icon was recently admitted to the hospital at the recommendation of her doctors and was released from Detroit’s Sinai Grace Hospital on Oct. 30 “following a brief stay.” according to her publicist Tracey Jordan.

The singer’s rep wouldn’t elaborate on the “whys”, but did say the 68 year old is “resting comfortably at home, but is anxious to get back on the road to perform for her countless fans around the world”.

We hope the singer is okay.

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Aretha Franklin

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Keith speaks about the last time he spoke with Aretha Franklin

Keith calls his good friend Aretha Frankin

Keith speaks about the last time he spoke with Aretha Franklin

Keith calls his good friend Aretha Frankin