American soul singer Aretha Franklin, circa 1965. (Photo by Val Wilmer)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
1965
New York City, NY, United States
Soul singer Aretha Franklin poses for a portrait in New York City circa 1965. (Photo by James Kriegsmann/Michael Ochs Archives)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
1966
Paramount Plaza, 1633 Broadway, New York, NY 10019, United States
Soul singer Aretha Franklin signs her contract with Atlantic Records (L-R Jerry Wexler, husband and manager Ted White and Aretha franklin) on November 21, 1966, in New York City, New York. (Photo by PoPsie Randolph/Michael Ochs Archives)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
1967
Paramount Plaza, 1633 Broadway, New York, NY 10019, United States
Soul singer Aretha Franklin recording in the studios of Atlantic Records in December 1967 in New York City, New York. (Photo by David Gahr)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
1968
Soul singer Aretha Franklin poses for a portrait in circa 1968. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
1968
"The Jonathan Winters Show" featuring guest Aretha Franklin. Image dated January 5, 1968. (Photo by CBS)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
1968
4 Pennsylvania Plaza, New York, NY 10001, United States
Singer Aretha Franklin performs during a concert at Madison Square Garden on June 28, 1968, in New York City, New York.
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
1968
Soul singer Aretha Franklin performs onstage in circa 1968. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
1968
Paramount Plaza, 1633 Broadway, New York, NY 10019, United States
Soul singer Aretha Franklin poses for a portrait in April 1968 at Atlantic Records studios with (l-r) producer Arif Mardin, famed Muscle Shoals musicians guitarist Tommy Cogbill, drummer Roger Hawkins, bassist Jerry Jemmott, keyboardist Spooner Oldham, guitarist Jimmy Johnson, and producer and arranger Tom Dowd. (Photo by David Gahr)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
1969
234 West 56th Street, New York City, NY, United States
Aretha Franklin sings in the Atlantic Records studio in during "The Weight" recording session on January 9, 1969, in New York City, New York. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
1969
Aretha Franklin (Photo by Fred A. Sabine/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
1969
1020 Broad St, Newark, NJ 07102, United States
Singer Aretha Franklin fixes her makeup backstage before a performance at Symphony Hall in 1969, Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Walter Looss)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
1969
Muscle Shoals,Alabama, United States
Singer Aretha Franklin smokes as cigarette as she works in the studio by a microphone at Muscle Shoals Studios on January 9, 1969 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
1969
540 President St #2c, Brooklyn, NY 11215, United States
Soul singer Aretha Franklin enjoys a hamburger while sitting at the piano in the Atlantic Records studio during 'The Weight' recording session on January 9, 1969, in New York City, New York. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
1969
Paramount Plaza, 1633 Broadway, New York, NY 10019, United States
Soul singer Aretha Franklin holds a copy of her "Soul '69" album in the Atlantic Records studios on January 9, 1969, in New York City, New York. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
1970
American soul singer Aretha Franklin stands backstage wearing a gold embroidered gown and holding a Grammy Award, circa 1970. (Photo by Tim Boxer)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
1970
Soul singer Aretha Franklin poses for a portrait in circa 1970. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
1970
London, United Kingdom
Aretha Franklin performs on BBC TV show 'It's Lulu', London, August 1970. (Photo by David Redfern/Redferns)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
1970
Soul singer Aretha Franklin performs onstage in circa 1970. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
1971
Soul singer Aretha Franklin holds the Grammy award that she won in circa 1971. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
1980
American singer Aretha Franklin, the 'first lady of the soul', in performance. (Photo by Keystone)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
1980
Los Angeles, CA, United States
Singer Aretha Franklin poses for the cover of the album 'Aretha' in 1980 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry Langdon)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
1980
Los Angeles, CA, United States
Singer Aretha Franklin poses for a portrait in 1980 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry Langdon)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
1985
Aretha Franklin in concert circa 1985. (Photo by Jerry Wachter/IMAGES)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
1986
R&B singer Aretha Franklin performs onstage in circa 1986. (Photo by Al Pereira/Michael Ochs Archives)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
1987
Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul. The 18-time Grammy award winner is seen here in the cover shot for her 1987 gospel album "One Lord One Faith One Baptism." (Photo by Norman Parkinson Archive/Iconic Images)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
1989
Detroit, Michigan, United States
(L-R) Producer and arranger Narrada Michael Walden, Aretha Franklin, and Whitney Houston pose for a portrait during the recording of the song "It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Gonna Be Me" in May 1989 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
1994
1205 N Rampart St, New Orleans, LA 70116, United States
Soul singer Aretha Franklin performing at the New Orleans Jazz Festival. (Photo by Leon Morris)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
2009
Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C., United States
American singer Aretha Franklin (1942 - 2018) performs at Barack Obama's Presidential Inauguration Ceremony, Washington DC, January 20, 2009. (Photo by Pat Benic/Pool via CNP)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
2010
777 Chick Hearn Ct, Los Angeles, CA 90015, United States
Singer Aretha Franklin performs at the Nokia Theatre LA. Live on July 25, 2012, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
2011
1964 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20003, United States
Singer Aretha Franklin (R) accepts applause as she finishes her performance with U.S. President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and Harry Johnson, president and CEO of the MLK National Memorial Project Fund (L) as they attend the dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall October 16, 2011, in Washington, DC. The ceremony for the slain civil rights leader had been postponed earlier in the summer because of Hurricane Irene. (Photo by Mike Theiler-Pool)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
2011
116 5th Ave N, Nashville, TN 37219, United States
The Queen of Soul & Living Legend Aretha Franklin performs to SRO audience at the Ryman Auditorium on October 19, 2011, in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
2011
110 E 42nd St, New York, NY 10017, United States
Aretha Franklin attends the Candie's Foundation 2011 event to prevent benefit gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 3, 2011, in New York City. (Photo by Andy Kropa)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
2011
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, United States
Aretha Franklin poses for a photo shoot at her residence on February 5, 2011, in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. (Photo by Monica Morgan/WireImage)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
2015
Washington, DC, United States
President Barack Obama fist bumps with singer Aretha Franklin who sang during a farewell ceremony for Attorney General Eric Holder at the Justice Department on February 27, 2015, in Washington, DC. The ceremony was held to unveil the Attorney Generals' official portrait and commemorate his tenure before his expected departure from the department after more than six years of service. (Photo by Mark Wilson)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
2016
Detroit, Michigan, United States
Detroit native Aretha Franklin sings the National Anthem prior to the start of the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings game at Ford Field on November 24, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
2017
1047 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025, United States
President Bill Clinton and Aretha Franklin attend the Elton John AIDS Foundation Commemorate Its 25th Year And Honors Founder Sir Elton John During New York Fall Gala at Cathedral of St. John the Divine on November 7, 2017, in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
2017
1260 6th Ave, New York, NY 10020, United States
Aretha Franklin performs during the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival Opening Gala premiere of "Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of our Lives" at Radio City Music Hall on April 19, 2017, in New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
2017
1047 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025, United States
Aretha Franklin performs onstage at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Commemorates Its 25th Year And Honors Founder Sir Elton John During New York Fall Gala at Cathedral of St. John the Divine on November 7, 2017, in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/WireImage)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin and William Wilkerson watching Roger Federer at the 2011 US Open.
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
Franklin performing on April 21, 2007, at the Nokia Theater in Dallas, Texas.
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
Franklin singing at the 2009 inauguration of President Obama.
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
Franklin wipes a tear after being honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on November 9, 2005, at the White House. Seated with her are fellow recipients Robert Conquest, left, and Alan Greenspan.
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
American soul singer Aretha Franklin, a star on the Atlantic record label. (Photo by Express Newspapers)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
2 Lincoln Memorial Cir NW, Washington, DC 20037, United States
Singer Aretha Franklin singing outside Lincoln Memorial during Clinton's inauguration. (Photo by Cynthia Johnson)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
Portrait of American soul singer Aretha Franklin as she wears a strapless dress and pearl necklace and has her hair in a bun, 1977. (Photo by Hulton Archive)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
The Ambassadors, The Peacocks Centre, Woking GU21 6GQ, United Kingdom
Photo of Aretha FRANKLIN, performing live onstage (Photo by David Redfern/Redferns)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
Soul music singer Aretha Franklin, 1977. (Photo by Afro American Newspaper)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
New York City, NY, United States
Portrait of American singer Aretha Franklin (center), her father, Baptist preacher CL (born Clarence LaVaughn), and her sister, fellow singer Carolyn, New York, 1971. (Photo by Anthony Barboza)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
Singer Aretha Franklin holding her award in Press Room at Grammy Awards. (Photo by Time Life Pictures/DMI/The LIFE Picture Collection)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
Singer Aretha Franklin at the Democratic National Convention (Photo by Walter Bennett/The LIFE Picture Collection)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
United Kingdom
Photo of Aretha Franklin, performing live onstage (Photo by David Redfern)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
Singer Aretha Franklin at Home (Photo by Tony Korody/Sygma/Sygma)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin on Stage (Photo by Tony Korody/Sygma/Sygma)
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
Photo of Aretha Franklin
Gallery of Aretha Franklin
Photo of Aretha Franklin (Photo by Leon Morris/Redferns)
Achievements
Membership
Awards
Grammy Awards
1972
Aretha Franklin holding Grammy Award at the 14th Annual Grammy Awards, March 14, 1972. (Photo by Walt Disney Television)
American Music Awards
1983
Los Angeles, CA, United States
Singer Aretha Franklin holds up her American Music Awards trophy in one hand, and her shoes in the other, as she poses for photographers backstage at the 10th annual American Music Awards presentations. Franklin's award was for her soul album entitled "Jump to It."
Grammy Legend Award
1990
Aretha holding her Grammy Legend Award, 1990
Kennedy Center Honor
1994
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500, United States
American singer and Kennedy Center Honors recipient Aretha Franklin as she attends a reception in the East Room of the White House, Washington DC, December 2, 1994. Visible behind her is fellow recipient actor Kirk Douglas (born Issur Danielovitch). (Photo by Jeffrey Markowitz/Pool via CNP)
Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
1994
Aretha Franklin holds her Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
Grammy MusiCares Person of the Year
2008
1201 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015, United States
Singer Aretha Franklin (L) accepts the award from MusiCares foundation president Neil Portnow onstage during the 2008 MusiCares person of the year honoring Aretha Franklin held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 8, 2008, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter)
NAACP Image Awards
2008
665 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007, United States
Singer Aretha Franklin accepts the Vanguard Award onstage during the 39th NAACP Image Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on February 14, 2008, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant)
TV Land Award
2012
68 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10010, United States
Music Icon Award winner Aretha Franklin attends the 10th Annual TV Land Awards at the Lexington Avenue Armory on April 14, 2012, in New York City. (Photo by Charles Eshelman)
Presidential Medal of Freedom
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500, United States
President George W. Bush presenting Aretha Franklin with the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca/Sipa via AP)
Paramount Plaza, 1633 Broadway, New York, NY 10019, United States
Soul singer Aretha Franklin signs her contract with Atlantic Records (L-R Jerry Wexler, husband and manager Ted White and Aretha franklin) on November 21, 1966, in New York City, New York. (Photo by PoPsie Randolph/Michael Ochs Archives)
Paramount Plaza, 1633 Broadway, New York, NY 10019, United States
Soul singer Aretha Franklin poses for a portrait in April 1968 at Atlantic Records studios with (l-r) producer Arif Mardin, famed Muscle Shoals musicians guitarist Tommy Cogbill, drummer Roger Hawkins, bassist Jerry Jemmott, keyboardist Spooner Oldham, guitarist Jimmy Johnson, and producer and arranger Tom Dowd. (Photo by David Gahr)
234 West 56th Street, New York City, NY, United States
Aretha Franklin sings in the Atlantic Records studio in during "The Weight" recording session on January 9, 1969, in New York City, New York. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Singer Aretha Franklin smokes as cigarette as she works in the studio by a microphone at Muscle Shoals Studios on January 9, 1969 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
540 President St #2c, Brooklyn, NY 11215, United States
Soul singer Aretha Franklin enjoys a hamburger while sitting at the piano in the Atlantic Records studio during 'The Weight' recording session on January 9, 1969, in New York City, New York. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Paramount Plaza, 1633 Broadway, New York, NY 10019, United States
Soul singer Aretha Franklin holds a copy of her "Soul '69" album in the Atlantic Records studios on January 9, 1969, in New York City, New York. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
Singer Aretha Franklin holds up her American Music Awards trophy in one hand, and her shoes in the other, as she poses for photographers backstage at the 10th annual American Music Awards presentations. Franklin's award was for her soul album entitled "Jump to It."
Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul. The 18-time Grammy award winner is seen here in the cover shot for her 1987 gospel album "One Lord One Faith One Baptism." (Photo by Norman Parkinson Archive/Iconic Images)
(L-R) Producer and arranger Narrada Michael Walden, Aretha Franklin, and Whitney Houston pose for a portrait during the recording of the song "It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Gonna Be Me" in May 1989 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives)
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500, United States
American singer and Kennedy Center Honors recipient Aretha Franklin as she attends a reception in the East Room of the White House, Washington DC, December 2, 1994. Visible behind her is fellow recipient actor Kirk Douglas (born Issur Danielovitch). (Photo by Jeffrey Markowitz/Pool via CNP)
1201 S Figueroa St, Los Angeles, CA 90015, United States
Singer Aretha Franklin (L) accepts the award from MusiCares foundation president Neil Portnow onstage during the 2008 MusiCares person of the year honoring Aretha Franklin held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 8, 2008, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter)
665 W Jefferson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007, United States
Singer Aretha Franklin accepts the Vanguard Award onstage during the 39th NAACP Image Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on February 14, 2008, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant)
American singer Aretha Franklin (1942 - 2018) performs at Barack Obama's Presidential Inauguration Ceremony, Washington DC, January 20, 2009. (Photo by Pat Benic/Pool via CNP)
1964 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20003, United States
Singer Aretha Franklin (R) accepts applause as she finishes her performance with U.S. President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama and Harry Johnson, president and CEO of the MLK National Memorial Project Fund (L) as they attend the dedication of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall October 16, 2011, in Washington, DC. The ceremony for the slain civil rights leader had been postponed earlier in the summer because of Hurricane Irene. (Photo by Mike Theiler-Pool)
The Queen of Soul & Living Legend Aretha Franklin performs to SRO audience at the Ryman Auditorium on October 19, 2011, in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Rick Diamond)
Aretha Franklin attends the Candie's Foundation 2011 event to prevent benefit gala at Cipriani 42nd Street on May 3, 2011, in New York City. (Photo by Andy Kropa)
68 Lexington Ave, New York, NY 10010, United States
Music Icon Award winner Aretha Franklin attends the 10th Annual TV Land Awards at the Lexington Avenue Armory on April 14, 2012, in New York City. (Photo by Charles Eshelman)
President Barack Obama fist bumps with singer Aretha Franklin who sang during a farewell ceremony for Attorney General Eric Holder at the Justice Department on February 27, 2015, in Washington, DC. The ceremony was held to unveil the Attorney Generals' official portrait and commemorate his tenure before his expected departure from the department after more than six years of service. (Photo by Mark Wilson)
Detroit native Aretha Franklin sings the National Anthem prior to the start of the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings game at Ford Field on November 24, 2016 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus)
1047 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025, United States
President Bill Clinton and Aretha Franklin attend the Elton John AIDS Foundation Commemorate Its 25th Year And Honors Founder Sir Elton John During New York Fall Gala at Cathedral of St. John the Divine on November 7, 2017, in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy)
Aretha Franklin performs during the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival Opening Gala premiere of "Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of our Lives" at Radio City Music Hall on April 19, 2017, in New York City. (Photo by Taylor Hill)
1047 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY 10025, United States
Aretha Franklin performs onstage at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Commemorates Its 25th Year And Honors Founder Sir Elton John During New York Fall Gala at Cathedral of St. John the Divine on November 7, 2017, in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/WireImage)
Franklin wipes a tear after being honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom on November 9, 2005, at the White House. Seated with her are fellow recipients Robert Conquest, left, and Alan Greenspan.
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20500, United States
President George W. Bush presenting Aretha Franklin with the Presidential Medal of Freedom during a ceremony in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C. (Olivier Douliery/Abaca/Sipa via AP)
Portrait of American soul singer Aretha Franklin as she wears a strapless dress and pearl necklace and has her hair in a bun, 1977. (Photo by Hulton Archive)
Portrait of American singer Aretha Franklin (center), her father, Baptist preacher CL (born Clarence LaVaughn), and her sister, fellow singer Carolyn, New York, 1971. (Photo by Anthony Barboza)
(Her soulful, soaring voice has earned her mythic status. ...)
Her soulful, soaring voice has earned her mythic status. Now, in her own moving words, the woman behind the myth is revealed. The result is a captivating self-portrait of one of this century's most fascinating artists, and Aretha Franklin as real as the songs she sings. For the first time anywhere, Aretha tells her story - the glorious triumphs as well as the heartbreaking pain. With refreshing candor, Aretha tells it like it is, the way she sees it, the way she lived it. A child prodigy of the golden age of gospel, the daughter of a world-famous preacher, Aretha was the anointed successor to Mahalia Jackson and Clara Ward.
(Jake and Elwood Blues get out of prison and put their leg...)
Jake and Elwood Blues get out of prison and put their legendary R&B band back together for a musical benefit - with plenty of laughs, car crashes, and slapstick en route! James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, more!
(Dan Aykroyd returns as Elwood Blues in this action-packed...)
Dan Aykroyd returns as Elwood Blues in this action-packed comedy that co-stars John Goodman and includes special appearances by B.B. King, Aretha Franklin, James Brown, and Eric Clapton.
Aretha Louise Franklin is an American singer and songwriter. Multiple Grammy winner and "Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin was known for such hits as "Respect," "Freeway of Love," and "I Say a Little Prayer."
Background
Aretha Franklin was born on March 25, 1942, in Memphis, Tennessee. Her parents were to Clarence LaVaughn Franklin and Barbara Siggers Franklin. Her father was a Baptist preacher and mother was a gospel singer. She had 3 siblings and grew up in a religious household.
When Franklin was 5 years old, her family relocated to Detroit, Michigan where her father founded a Baptist church. When she was 6, her parents separated because of her father's infamous promiscuity. Her mother moved to Buffalo.
When she was 10 years old, her mother died and her grandmother and aunts took care of her and her siblings. Her father was getting more and more famous for his sermons by this time and was known as the man with the 'million-dollar voice.'
Education
Aretha started to learn how to play the piano on her own when she was only a little girl and her earliest songs were recorded at the church when she was only 14. She also used to sing on the revival tours of her father.
Franklin received an honorary degree from Harvard University in 2014, as well as honorary doctorates in music from Princeton University, 2012; Yale University, 2010; Brown University, 2009; Berklee College of Music, 2006; New England Conservatory of Music, 1995; and University of Michigan, 1987.
Franklin was granted an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters by Wayne State University in 1990 and an honorary Doctor of Law by Bethune-Cookman College in 1975.
Career
At the age of 14, Franklin's talent for singing was recognized by her father who started managing her, to get her a recording deal. In 1956, her first album came out under J. V. B. Records label, 'Songs of Faith.'
In 1960, Franklin was signed by the Columbia Records, after she persuaded her father to let her record pop music. Her popular single 'Today I Sung the Blues' was released in the same year - it reached the Hot Rhythm & Blue Sellers Chart.
In 1961, Franklin's debut pop album came out with Columbia Records, titled 'Aretha: With The Ray Bryant Combo.' The album was an instant hit with the American listeners and the hit single 'Rock-a-bye' catapulted her into an international star.
In 1962, the same recording company released two of her albums: 'The Electrifying Aretha Franklin' and 'The Tender, the Moving, the Swinging Aretha Franklin.' By this time, she was called the 'new-star female vocalist' by A-list magazines.
From 1964-1966, Franklin released various hit singles like: 'Runnin’ Out of Fools,' 'One Step Ahead,' 'Cry Like a Baby,' 'You Made Me Love You,' etc. under Columbia Records. She also appeared on shows like Hollywood A Go-Go. In 1967, Aretha signed to Atlantic Records and released 'I Never Love a Man the Way I Love You' which topped the R&B chart and the Billboard Hot 100 with hit singles like: 'Do Right Woman, Do Right man,' 'Respect,' etc.
In 1968, she released her albums: 'Lady Soul’ and ‘Aretha Now' with the Atlantic Records, giving hit singles like: 'I say a Little Prayer,' 'Think,' etc.
In the 1970s, Franklin released albums like 'Spirit in the Dark,' 'Young, Gifted & Black, 'Hey Now Hey,' 'You,' 'Sweet Passion' etc. She also released her first gospel album, titled 'Amazing Grace' during the same time. During the same years, she recorded her first live album 'Aretha Live at Fillmore West.' She gave out hit singles like: 'Angel,' 'Until You Come Back to Me,' 'I'm in Love,' etc. She also worked on the soundtrack of the movie 'Sparkle.'
In 1980, she signed the Arista Records and gave a memorable performance for the Queen of England at the Royal Albert Hall. She also did a cameo in the musical 'The Blues Brothers' in the same year. During the same time, 'Aretha' was released. She got nominated for a Grammy for one of the singles from the album 'I can't Turn You Loose.' A hit single 'United Together' made to the number 3 on the R&B chart.
In 1981, Franklin released her album 'Love All the Hurt Away.' The album included her famous duet with George Benson 'Hold On, I’m Comin.' In 1985, 'Jump to It' was released. It was a Gold standard album and a huge commercial hit after almost 7 years. The single from the album, with the same title, ranked first on 'top 40 single on the pop charts.' In 1985, she released 'Who's Zoomin' Who,' which became her first platinum album and sold over a million copies. It included the hit singles like 'Freeway of Love' and 'Sisters Are Doing It for Themselves.'
In 1987, she released another gospel album, titled 'One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism,' which was followed by another one 'Through the Storm.' Around the same time, her album 'What You See is What You Sweat' was released.
In 1998, her album 'A Rose Is Still a Rose' was released, which turned out to be of Gold standard. During the same time, Franklin gave a performance at the Grammy Awards, singing 'Nessun Dorma' and received international acclaim for it.
From 2004-2009, Franklin released albums like: 'So Damn Happy,' 'Jewels in the Crown: All-Star Duets with the Queen' and 'This Christmas 'Tis of Thee.' She also performed at President Barack Obama’s inaugural ceremony. From 2010-2013, she recorded an album under her own label, 'Aretha: A Woman Falling Out of Love.'
On August 13, 2018, Franklin was reported to be gravely ill at her home in Riverfront Towers, Detroit.
A lifelong Baptist, Aretha Franklin gave God the credit for her unique voice, starting out in the 1950s as part of her pastor's father's gospel revue. She made her first recording at the age of 14 at his New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit.
Politics
Franklin performed "God Bless America" at Jimmy Carter's night-before-the-inauguration celebration at the Kennedy Center in 1977. Sixteen years later, Franklin headlined a two-hour concert during Bill Clinton's inauguration festivities. She sang a goosebump-inducing version of "I Dreamed a Dream" from Les Misérables. And in 2009, she sang "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" at Barack Obama's inauguration. While her vocals always took center stage, her Swarovski-crystal-studded hat quickly became the subject of countless memes.
Views
Franklin worked behind the scenes to support the Civil Rights Movement. "When Dr. King was alive, several times she helped us make payroll," Franklin's longtime friend, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, told the Detroit Free Press in 2018. "On one occasion, we took an 11-city tour with her as Aretha Franklin and Harry Belafonte... and they put gas in the vans. She did 11 concerts for free and hosted us at her home and did a fundraiser for my campaign... She has shared her points of view from the stage for challenged people, to register to vote, to stand up for decency."
In 1967, Franklin released "Respect," arguably her most famous song, which became an anthem for the racial and gendered political movements of the time, something that wasn’t lost on Franklin who said of her signature track in her memoir "Aretha: From These Roots:" "It reflected the need of a nation, the need of the average man and woman in the street, the businessman, the mother, the fireman, the teacher - everyone wanted respect," Franklin wrote. "It was also one of the battle cries of the civil rights movement. The song took on monumental significance."
In a 2014 interview with Rolling Stone, Aretha commented on gender disparity. "If women are going to do the same job, why not give equal pay? Because that job is harder for a woman than a man sometimes," she said. "We deserve parity, and maybe even a little more. Especially if it's physically taxing, we should get a little more money, if you have enough heart to take it on."
Quotations:
"We all require and want respect, man or woman, black or white. It's our basic human right."
"Be your own artist, and always be confident in what you're doing. If you're not going to be confident, you might as well not be doing it."
"Music does a lot of things for a lot of people. It's transporting, for sure. It can take you right back, years back, to the very moment certain things happened in your life. It's uplifting, it's encouraging, it's strengthening."
"Soul is constant. It's cultural. It's always going to be there, in different flavors and degrees."
"People really don't have to give you anything, so appreciate what people give you. And just don't let that go to your head, whatever it is they give you."
"I sing to the realists, people who accept it like it is. I express problems. There are tears when it's sad and smiles when it's happy. It seems simple to me, but for some people, I guess feelin' takes courage."
"If you disrespect everybody that you run into, how in the world do you think everybody's supposed to respect you?"
"Don't say Aretha is making a comeback, because I've never been away!"
"Being the Queen is not all about singing, and being a diva is not all about singing. It has much to do with your service to people. And your social contributions to your community and your civic contributions as well."
"Falling out of love is like losing weight. It's a lot easier putting it on than taking it off."
"R-E-S-P-E-C-T, find out what it means to me."
"When God loves you, what can be better than that?"
"Better friends than lovers. Sugar can't you see? You need you and I really need me."
"My faith always has been and always will be important to me."
"Angela Davis must go free. Black people will be free. I’ve been locked up (for disturbing the peace in Detroit) and I know you got to disturb the peace when you can't get no peace. Jail is hell to be in. I'm going to see her free if there is any justice in our courts, not because I believe in communism, but because she’s a Black woman and she wants freedom for Black people. I have the money; I got it from Black people - they've made me financially able to have it - and I want to use it in ways that will help our people."
Membership
Areths was a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Personality
At the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors, Franklin performed a show-stopping rendition of "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" for honoree Carole King (who co-wrote the song in 1967 specifically for Franklin and then recorded a version of her own for her 1971 solo album, Tapestry). When she walked out on stage, Franklin was wearing a floor-length mink coat and carrying a sparkling clutch, which she laid on top of the piano before sitting down to play - a habit she had had for decades.
In a 2016 profile in The New Yorker, editor David Remnick wrote that Franklin made it a point early in her career to be paid upfront - in cash, sometimes of amounts up to $25,000 - before performances, so keeping her handbag on her or within eyeshot was a security measure. "It's the era she grew up in," television host and author Tavis Smiley told Remnick.
Aretha's favorite film when she was a child wasThe Private Lives of Elizabeth and Essex.
In 1968, Franklin told a journalist from the American magazine Downbeat that she would always sing properly, from the stomach, when she was able to sit at the piano and think about what she was doing; but the necessities of self-presentation increasingly forced her to stand before her audiences, at which point she would lose her self-possession to some extent and start singing from the throat.
She suffered from a fear of flying, which affected her schedule. She declined to attend her Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame induction because of that.
The lavish hat she wore when she performed at Barack Obama's presidential inauguration was supplied by Detroit's Mr. Song Millinery. It created such a sensation that designer Luke Song sold out of the style shortly after.
Aretha spent most of her life being overweight. At age 34, a crash diet helped her lose 40 pounds very rapidly, but she gradually regained far more than that until her fifties when she started to yoyo with alternating weight loss and gain.
She smoked most of her early life until she finally gave it up at age 50, which was followed by extensive weight gain.
She has an asteroid named after her. NASA's NEOWISE project discovered the asteroid 249516 on February 15, 2010, and gave it the name "249516 Aretha," or "2010 CV60." The name nomination proposal came from Amy Mainzer, Principal Investigator of the project. The asteroid is 4.306 kilometers in diameter and circles the Sun between Mars and Jupiter every 5.63 years.
Physical Characteristics:
On August 13, 2018, Franklin was reported to be gravely ill with pancreatic cancer, the disease she was first diagnosed within 2010, in a Detroit hospital. Later the same day CNN reported that she was at home in hospice care surrounded by loved ones.
Quotes from others about the person
"When Dr. King was alive, several times she helped us make payroll. On one occasion, we took an 11-city tour with her as Aretha Franklin and Harry Belafonte... and they put gas in the vans. She did 11 concerts for free and hosted us at her home and did a fundraiser for my campaign. Aretha has always been a very socially conscious artist, an inspiration, not just an entertainer. She has shared her points of view from the stage for challenged people, to register to vote, to stand up for decency." - Jesse Jackson
"American history wells up when Aretha sings." - Barak Obama
"Nobody embodies more fully the connection between the African-American spiritual, the blues, R&B, rock, and roll - the way that hardship and sorrow were transformed into something full of beauty and vitality and hope." - Barak Obama
"Being around people like Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight, Dionne Warwick and Roberta Flack, all these greats, I was taught to listen and observe." - Whitney Houston
"Billie Holiday, Aretha Franklin. Now, they are so subtle, they can milk you with two notes. They can make you feel like they told you the whole universe. But I don't know that yet. All I got now is strength. Maybe if I keep singing, maybe I'll get it." - Janis Joplin
"Aretha Franklin holds a significant place in the collective heart of America. She's a singular example of what we represent at our best." - Michael McDonald
"My years with Aretha Franklin have been very special, as were the years making records with Dionne Warwick. Other highlights include working with Janis Joplin, who was the first artist I ever signed, as well as Patti Smith and Alicia Keys." - Clive Davis
"Aretha Franklin, she's just the most amazing singer ever. But I think there are so many singers that I just loved and sang along to on the radio. I guess I just enjoy trying out different styles along the way." - Corin Tucker
"Like when you hear Aretha Franklin sing - it touches your soul. Crunk music, it makes you just wanna lose your mind - just be free and wild out." - Lil Jon
"I grew up loving Etta James and Aretha Franklin and Al Green and Otis Redding, and I just love old-school R&B. It's just music that moves you and grooves you, and it was very important, I think, for music." - Elle King
Interests
Politicians
Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton
Sport & Clubs
Detroit Lions
Music & Bands
Sam Cooke, Etta James, Stevie Wonder, Otis Redding, Wilson Picket, Roberta Flack and Gladys Knight & the Pips
Connections
Franklin has married twice. She married Ted White in 1961, despite objections from her father. After a contentious marriage that involved domestic violence, she divorced White in 1969. She then married her second husband, actor Glynn Turman, on April 11, 1978, at her father's church. By marrying Turman, Franklin became the stepmother of Turman's three children from a previous marriage. Franklin and Turman separated in 1982 after Franklin returned to Michigan from California, and they divorced in 1984. At one point, Franklin had plans to walk down the aisle with longtime companion Willie Wilkerson. Franklin and Wilkerson had had two previous engagements stretching back to 1988. Franklin eventually called the 2012 engagement off.
Franklin is the mother of four sons. She became pregnant at the age of just 12 and gave birth to her first child, named Clarence after her father, on January 28, 1955. The father of the child is Donald Burk, a boy she knew from school. At the age of 14 on January 22, 1957, Franklin had a second child named Edward after his father Edward Jordan. Both of her children took her family name. While Franklin was pursuing her career and "hanging out with friends", Franklin's grandmother Rachel and sister Erma took turns raising the children. Franklin's third child, Ted White, Jr., was born in 1964 and is known professionally as Teddy Richards. He has provided guitar backing for his mother's band during live concerts. Her youngest son, Kecalf Cunningham born March 28, 1970, is the child of her road manager Ken Cunningham.
1968 - Best Rhythm & Blues Solo Vocal Performance, Female - "Respect"
1968 - Best Rhythm & Blues Recording - "Respect"
1969 - Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance, Female - "Chain of Fools"
1970 - Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female - "Share Your Love with Me"
1971 - Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female - "Don't Play That Song"
1972 - Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female - "Bridge over Troubled Water"
1973 - Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female - Young, Gifted and Black
1973 - Best Soul Gospel Performance - Amazing Grace
1974 - Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female - "Master of Eyes"
1975 - Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female - "Ain't Nothing like the Real Thing"
1982 - Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female - "Hold On I'm Comin'"
1986 - Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female - "Freeway of Love"
1987 - Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female - Aretha
1988 - Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal - "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" (with George Michael)
1989 - Best Soul Gospel Performance, Female - One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism
2004 - Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance - "Wonderful"
2006 - Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance - "A House Is Not a Home"
2008 - Best Gospel Performance - "Never Gonna Break My Faith" (with Mary J. Blige)
1968 - Best Rhythm & Blues Solo Vocal Performance, Female - "Respect"
1968 - Best Rhythm & Blues Recording - "Respect"
1969 - Best Rhythm & Blues Vocal Performance, Female - "Chain of Fools"
1970 - Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female - "Share Your Love with Me"
1971 - Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female - "Don't Play That Song"
1972 - Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female - "Bridge over Troubled Water"
1973 - Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female - Young, Gifted and Black
1973 - Best Soul Gospel Performance - Amazing Grace
1974 - Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female - "Master of Eyes"
1975 - Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female - "Ain't Nothing like the Real Thing"
1982 - Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female - "Hold On I'm Comin'"
1986 - Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female - "Freeway of Love"
1987 - Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female - Aretha
1988 - Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal - "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" (with George Michael)
1989 - Best Soul Gospel Performance, Female - One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism
2004 - Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance - "Wonderful"
2006 - Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance - "A House Is Not a Home"
2008 - Best Gospel Performance - "Never Gonna Break My Faith" (with Mary J. Blige)
1983 - Favorite Soul/R&B Album - "Jump to It"
1984 - Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist - Aretha Franklin
1986 - Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist - Aretha Franklin
1983 - Favorite Soul/R&B Album - "Jump to It"
1984 - Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist - Aretha Franklin
1986 - Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist - Aretha Franklin
1997 - Hall of Fame Award - Aretha Franklin
2008 - Vanguard Award - Aretha Franklin
2015 - Outstanding Album - "Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics"
1997 - Hall of Fame Award - Aretha Franklin
2008 - Vanguard Award - Aretha Franklin
2015 - Outstanding Album - "Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics"