Magic moments

A look at pop highlights.

Aretha Franklin’s cultural contributions are too numerous to list, but it certainly is uplifting to try. The Queen of Soul died of pancreatic cancer on Thursday, surrounded by family at her home in Detroit. She was 76. ❚ Here are some of Franklin’s best-known moments – collisions of artistry, personality and versatility that illustrate how she shaped pop culture in ways large and small.

‘Respect’

Topping the Billboard pop singles chart in 1967, Franklin’s signature song was everything a classic should be and more. If the multitude of protest movements during the second half of the 20th century had to share one anthem, this would be it.

The inauguration of President Barack Obama

Franklin’s memorable hat by Detroit milliner Luke Song became a web sensation (how many other singers are meme-worthy for their fashion alone?), but it was the pure emotion of her rendition of “America (My Country ‘Tis of Thee)” that blessed the 2009 swearing-in ceremony of America’s first African-American president.

‘The Blues Brothers’

Franklin’s career was rejuvenated by her appearance in the 1980 comedy as a slippers-wearing waitress who schools her man with the energetic “Think.” According to Mental Floss, Universal Pictures pushed for a newer group such as Rose Royce to handle the number, but the movie’s star Dan Aykroyd insisted on Aretha, thank goodness.

‘Nessun Dorma’ on 20 minutes notice

When Franklin subbed for an ailing Luciano Pavarotti at the 1998 Grammys, she had 20 minutes to prepare. In yet another stunning demonstration of her musical brilliance, she gave the operatic aria all of the emotional impact of her popular music while staying true to its classical score.

Fur drop at the Kennedy Center Honors

At a December 2015 Kennedy Center Honors event, Franklin left her seat at the piano during a performance of “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” for Carole King. Then she dramatically dropped her fur coat to the stage floor, achieving a wow factor much greater than a mic drop. Franklin shared a practical explanation with Vogue for the ges- ture: “I wasn’t sure about the air factor onstage, and air can mess with the voice from time to time. ... Once I determined that the air was all right while I was singing, I said, “Let’s get out of this coat! I’m feeling it. Let’s go!’ ”

‘Murphy Brown’ cameo

Speaking of “Natural Woman,” Franklin did a duet with Candice Bergen on “Murphy Brown” in 1991, at the height of the media sitcom’s popularity. It was just a cameo, but, of course, the diva got more laughs than the show’s star with her reaction to Bergen’s “ah-ooh” backup vocals.

Tag-teaming ‘Natural Woman’ with fellow divas

The first gathering of pop music royalty in 1998 featured the Queen of Soul and the headlining crown princesses: Mariah Carey, Gloria Estefan, Celine Dion, Carole King and Shania Twain. As usual, Franklin showed everyone how it’s done, particularly during her duet with Carey on “Chain of Fools.”

AP Aretha Franklin’s performance at Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration was noted for her singing, but also for her hat. It’s now at the Smithsonian.

UNIVERSAL STUDIOS Franklin warns her husband to “think” in her iconic scene from “The Blues Brothers.” Dan Aykroyd insisted she be in the film.

CBS TELEVISION Candice Bergen’s Murphy, left, wasn’t as much of a natural woman as guest Aretha Franklin on a 1991 episode of “Murphy Brown.”