Christina Aguilera, Jennifer Hudson Cover Aretha Franklin at 2011 Grammys

Christina Aguilera and Jennifer Hudson took the stage to kick off the 2011 Grammy Awards with a huge tribute to Aretha Franklin -- a performance of the legendary soul singer's biggest hits.

Aguilera and Hudson were joined by Florence Welch (Florence and the Machine), Martina McBride and Yolanda Adams to perform Franklin's best-known songs. The five female faces kicked off the Grammys with 'You Make Me Feel (Like A Natural Woman),' which boiled into an-Aguilera led version of 'Ain't No Way, and Hudson stole the show with Franklin's notorious hit, 'Respect.'

"We came together as a group tonight to honor the queen -- we love you, Aretha," Aguilera said as the fivesome presented the award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group. The special Grammy intro closed with a video from Aretha herself, fully dressed in white in her living room. The soul superstar is currently recovering from pancreatic cancer.