Franklin's passing Thursday morning sparked a wave of memories and tributes, and fans were quick to flock to Hollywood Boulevard to do their part as well. Unclear who placed the crown, but the meaning is obvious ... Aretha was the Queen of Soul.

As we reported ... Aretha died at her home in Detroit surrounded by friends and family after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.

Aretha's family released a statement, saying, "In one of the darkest moments of our lives, we are not able to find the appropriate words to express the pain in our heart. We have lost the matriarch and rock of our family."

Franklin was 76.