Aretha Franklin, shown July 27 in Philadelphia, has cancelled all her appearances until next May on the advice of doctors. (Matt Rourke/Associated Press)

Aretha Franklin is cancelling all concert dates and personal appearances through May on the orders of her doctors, the singer's spokeswoman said Thursday from Detroit.

The news came two days after the announcement that Franklin had been released over the weekend from a Detroit hospital following an undisclosed illness.

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.

Among the shows now being cancelled is a Christmas concert scheduled for Detroit's Fox Theatre on Dec. 9 and a show at Radio City Music Halll in New York.

Franklin, one of the most honoured 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.