(Cover) - EN Showbiz - John Legend would choose Aretha Franklin to front his dream band.

The American musician revealed that he is a huge fan of the 68-year-old singer, often referred to as the Queen of Soul.

John, famed for popular hits such as Ordinary People, divulged that the American silky-voiced vocalist is his most worshipped artist, describing her as magical.

She is one of my favourite singers, he revealed when asked who would be in his dream band. If you listen to some of her great recordings it is magical how well she sings. She has so much soul, so much range, so much skill in her phrasing; just a phenomenal singer.

The 31-year-old also said he would use the unique sounds of Nina Simone as the pianist in his make-believe musical group.

John believes that Nina, who died aged 70 in April 2003, had an expert touch and innate sense of timing when it came to the keyboard.

[I would choose her] Not because she was the greatest pianist but because she had a really distinctive style and a great sense of rhythm, he said. Her feel was what I loved about her so much I think that I'm influenced by her playing style a lot. (C) Cover Media