Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin was a singer, songwriter and pianist known as the “Queen of Soul.” Franklin was raised in Memphis, Tennessee, where she began singing in her father’s church and was considered a musical prodigy. She later dropped out of high school to pursue music full-time.

Franklin signed with Columbia Records in 1960 but rose to fame after moving to Atlantic Records in 1966. Her 1967 album, I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You, launched her into superstardom, powered by the success of “Respect.” She became known for blending gospel, soul and R&B, earning widespread critical acclaim and commercial success throughout the 1960s and 1970s.

Franklin won 18 Grammy Awards and sold over 75 million records worldwide. She was the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Her life was portrayed in the 2021 biopic Respect, starring Jennifer Hudson.

Franklin was first wed to Ted White from 1961 to 1969, then to actor Glynn Turman from 1978 to 1984. She had four sons: Clarence Franklin, Edward Franklin, Ted White Jr. and Kecalf Cunningham.

She died on August 16, 2018, at age 76.