LEGENDARY:
SHE IS known as the Queen of Soul, and is considered an icon of both the 20th and 21st centuries. With a distinct voice that set her apart from her contemporaries and the many who attempted to follow in her footsteps, Aretha Franklin’s music has formed a part of some of our most tender memories.
She was born Aretha Louise Franklin to a respected church minister, CL Franklin, and Barbra Vernice Franklin on March 25, 1942.
Her musical prowess seems to have come from her mother, an excellent pianist. Renowned gospel singer Mahalia Jackson is quoted as saying that Barbra was one of the best singers in the US at the time.
Aretha’s career began with her singing in the New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, where her father was a minister. Her earliest records where gospel albums.
Then, inspired by the career of Sam Cooke, the legendary singer on whom she had developed a crush, she branched out into pop music, signing with Columbia Records in 1960 at the age of 18.
Over the course of her glittering career, she recorded a stream of evergreen classics. Her most popular songs include: (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman; Chain Of Fools; I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You); Respect; I Say A Little Prayer; Freeway Of
Love; Jump To It; I Knew You Were
Waiting (For Me), her worldwide chart-topping duet with George Michael; and A Rose Is Still A Rose.
Franklin is considered one of the most important voices of our time, acknowledged by Rolling Stone Magazine as the Greatest Singer of all time. She was a diva with tremendous stage presence, and a penchant for eye-catching fashion that included flamboyant tailored outfits, gorgeous furs, and an eye-popping collection of hats.
She was a noted philanthropist, championing the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Special Olympics and Feeding America, among others.