Aretha Franklin

Aretha Louise Franklin (March 25, 1942 – August 16, 2018) was an American singer-songwriter and pianist widely regarded as the "Queen of Soul." She was twice named by Rolling Stone magazine as the greatest singer of all time. Franklin is recognized as one of the best-selling music artists in history, having sold more than 75 million records worldwide. Her signature recording of "Respect" became a celebrated civil rights and feminist anthem.

Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Franklin was the daughter of Barbara Siggers, a pianist and vocalist, and Clarence LaVaughn "C. L." Franklin, a Baptist minister. Her family relocated to Buffalo, New York, and later to Detroit, Michigan, where her father led the New Bethel Baptist Church. Following her parents' separation and her mother's death in 1952, Franklin learned to play the piano by ear. She began singing gospel solos at her father's church and later joined him on gospel caravan tours, signing her first recording contract with J.V.B. Records as a teenager.

In 1960, at age 18, Franklin transitioned to pop music and moved to New York, signing with Columbia Records. She achieved her first Billboard Hot 100 entry with "Won't Be Long" and released her first charting album, The Tender, the Moving, the Swinging Aretha Franklin, in 1962. During her time with Columbia, she recorded across diverse genres such as blues, jazz, and rhythm and blues, scoring R&B hits like "Runnin' Out of Fools." However, she experienced limited commercial success with the label, which failed to fully capitalize on her gospel background.

Franklin's major commercial breakthrough occurred after she signed with Atlantic Records in 1966. Working alongside producer Jerry Wexler, she embraced a soul-driven sound. Her 1967 Atlantic debut album, I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You, catapulted her to fame, boosted by chart-topping R&B singles such as the title track and "Respect." She followed this success with hit albums like Lady Soul and Aretha Now in 1968, which featured popular tracks including "Chain of Fools," "Think," and "I Say a Little Prayer."

In the 1970s, Franklin continued her run with Atlantic by releasing albums such as Young, Gifted and Black, Amazing Grace, and Sparkle. After facing issues with the label, she moved to Arista Records in 1979. Her career was revived with successful Arista albums, including Jump to It, Who's Zoomin' Who?, Aretha, and A Rose Is Still a Rose. During this era, she also made a featured appearance in the 1980 musical-comedy film The Blues Brothers.

Over her career, Franklin accumulated 112 singles on the US Billboard charts, including 20 number-one R&B entries. She won 18 Grammy Awards from 44 nominations, earning the first eight awards given for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, alongside a Grammy Living Legend Award and Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1987, she became the first female inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Her numerous accolades also include the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the National Medal of Arts, and a posthumous Pulitzer Prize special citation in 2019.