The Queen of Soul will precede her forthcoming studio album with the launch of a spring, summer and fall outing that she says will be her last.

Aretha Franklin [ tickets ] "will continue to perform select dates in the future," according to Arista Records, but the upcoming road trip--tentatively dubbed "Aretha Sings Her Musical History"--"will be the last major full-scale tour schedule of her career."

Only a handful of East Coast dates were available at press time. Additional dates will be revealed in the coming weeks.

In May, Franklin will hold open auditions in Detroit for dancers who will be used in her stage act. The auditions will be open to male and female dancers ages 18-35, according to a press release. Organizers plan to announce the location, date and time for tryouts just prior to the audition dates.

Designers Valentino, Halson, Donna Karan and Bill Blass will design the costumes for the tour. In addition, Franklin's friend and fellow singer Luther Vandross designed two gowns that she will wear during the tour.

In September, Franklin is expected to release her first new studio album since 1998's "A Rose Is Still a Rose."

Franklin, whose recording career began more than 40 years ago, has won 15 GRAMMY^® awards--more than any other women. In 1987, she became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.