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Aretha Louise Franklin (born Rose".

Franklin's other popular and originally from Shelby,


March 25, 1942) is an American well known hits include "Rock Mississippi, while her mother was
singer and songwriter. Franklin Steady", "Jump to It", "Freeway of an accomplished piano player and
began her career as a child singing Love", "Who's Zoomin' Who", vocalist. Alongside Franklin, her
gospel at New Bethel Baptist "Chain Of Fools", "I Knew You parents had three other children
Church in Detroit, where her father, Were Waiting (For Me)" (with while both C. L. and Barbara had
C. L. Franklin, was minister. In George Michael), and a remake of children from outside their
1960, at the age of 18, she The Rolling Stones song "Jumpin' marriage. The family relocated to
embarked on a secular career, Jack Flash". Buffalo, New York when Franklin
recording for Columbia Records was two. Before her fifth birthday,
but only achieving modest success. Franklin has won a total of 18 C. L. Franklin permanently
Grammy Awards and is one of the relocated the family to Detroit,
Following her signing to Atlantic best-selling musical artists of all Michigan where he took over the
Records in 1967, Franklin achieved time, having sold over 75 million pastorship of New Bethel Baptist
commercial acclaim and success records worldwide. Franklin has Church. Franklin's parents had a
with songs such as "Respect", been honored throughout her career troubled marriage due to stories of
"(You Make Me Feel Like) A including a 1987 induction into the C. L. Franklin's philandering and in
Natural Woman", "Spanish Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, in 1948, they separated, with Barbara
Harlem" and which she became relocating back to Buffalo with her
"Think". By the the first female son, Vaughn, from a previous
end of the performer to be relationship.
1960s decade inducted. She was
she had gained inducted to the UK Contrary to popular notion,
the title "The Music Hall of Fame Franklin's mother did not abandon
Queen of in 2005. In August her children; not only would
Soul". Franklin 2012, Franklin was Franklin recall seeing her mother in
eventually inducted into the Buffalo during the summer,
recorded a total GMA Gospel Music Barbara also frequently visited her
of 112 charted Hall of Fame. children in Detroit. Franklin's
singles on Franklin is listed in at mother died on March 7, 1952,
Billboard, least two all-time before Franklin's tenth birthday.
including 77 Hot 100 entries, 17 top lists on Rolling Stone magazine, Several women, including
ten pop singles, 100 R&B entries including the 100 Greatest Artists Franklin's grandmother Rachel, and
and twenty number-one R&B of All Time; and the 100 Greatest Mahalia Jackson took turns helping
singles, becoming the most charted Singers of All Time. with the children at the Franklin
female artist in the chart's history.
Franklin also recorded acclaimed Early life
albums such as I Never Loved a
Man the Way I Love You, Lady Franklin's
Soul, Young, Gifted and Black and birthplace at
Amazing Grace before 406 Lucy Ave.
experiencing problems with her in Memphis,
record company by the mid-1970s. Tennessee.
After her father was shot in 1979, Aretha Louise
Franklin left Atlantic and signed Franklin was
with Arista Records, finding born in
success with her part in the film The Memphis,
Blues Brothers and with the albums Tennessee, to
Jump to It and Who's Zoomin' Barbara (née
Who?. In 1998, Franklin won Siggers) and
international acclaim for singing Clarence
the opera aria "Nessun dorma", at LaVaughn "C.
the Grammys of that year replacing L." Franklin.
Luciano Pavarotti. Later that same Her father was
year, she scored her final Top 40 an itinerant
recording with "A Rose Is Still a preacher
home. During this time, Franklin be coached by choreographer ten on the R&B chart with the
learned how to play piano by ear. Cholly Atkins to prepare for her ballad, "Runnin' Out of Fools" in
Franklin's father's emotionally pop performances. Before signing early 1965. She had two R&B
driven sermons resulted in him with Columbia, Sam Cooke tried to charted singles in 1965 and 1966
being known as the man with the persuade Franklin's father to have with the songs "One Step Ahead"
"million-dollar voice" and earning his label, RCA sign Franklin. He and "Cry Like a Baby" while also
thousands of dollars for sermons in had also been courted by local reaching the Easy Listening charts
various churches across the record label owner Berry Gordy to with the ballads "You Made Me
country. Franklin's celebrity led to sign Franklin and her elder sister Love You" and "(No, No) I'm
his home being visited by various Erma to his Tamla label. Franklin's Losing You". By the mid-1960s,
celebrities including gospel father felt the label was not Franklin was netting $100,000
musicians Clara Ward, James established enough yet. Franklin's from countless performances in
Cleveland and early Caravans first Columbia single, "Today I nightclubs and theaters. Also
members Albertina Walker and Sing the Blues", was issued in during that period, Franklin
Inez Andrews as well as Martin September 1960 and later reached appeared on rock and roll shows
Luther King, Jr., Jackie Wilson and the top ten of the Hot Rhythm & such as Hollywood A Go-Go and
Sam Cooke. Blues Sellers chart. Shindig!. However, it was argued
that Franklin's potential was
Music career Initial success (1961–1966) neglected at the label. Columbia
Beginnings (1952–1960) executive John H. Hammond later
Just after her mother's death, Franklin, 1967 said he felt Columbia did not
Franklin began singing solos at In January 1961, Columbia issued understand Franklin's early gospel
New Bethel, debuting with the Franklin's first secular album, background and failed to bring that
hymn, "Jesus, Be a Fence Around Aretha: With The Ray Bryant aspect out further during her
Me". Four years later, when Combo. The album featured her Columbia period.
Franklin was 14, her father began first single to chart the Billboard
managing her, bringing her on the Hot 100, "Won't Be Long", which Commercial success (1967–1979)
road with him during his so-called also peaked at number 7 on the In November 1966, choosing not to
"gospel caravan" tours for her to R&B chart. Mostly produced by renew her Columbia contract after
perform in various churches. He Clyde Otis, Franklin's Columbia six years with the company,
helped his daughter get signed to recordings saw her recording in Franklin signed to Atlantic
her first recording deal with J.V.B. diverse genres such as standards, Records. In January 1967, she
Records, where her first album, vocal jazz, blues, doo-wop and traveled to Muscle Shoals,
Songs of Faith, was issued in 1956. rhythm and blues. Before the year Alabama to record at FAME
Two singles were released to gospel was out, Franklin scored her first Studios to record the song, "I Never
radio stations including "Never top 40 single with her rendition of Loved a Man (The Way I Love
Grow Old" and "Precious Lord, the standard, "Rock-a-Bye Your You)" in front of the musicians of
Take My Hand". Franklin Baby with a Dixie Melody", which the famed Muscle Shoals Rhythm
sometimes traveled with The also included the R&B hit, Section. The song was later issued
Caravans and The Soul Stirrers "Operation Heartbreak", on its b- that February and shot up to
during this time and developed a side. "Rock-a-Bye" became her number-one on the R&B chart,
crush on Sam Cooke, who was then first international hit, reaching the while also peaking at number nine
singing with the Soul Stirrers top 40 in Australia and Canada. By on the Billboard Hot 100, giving
before his secular career. the end of 1961, Franklin was Franklin her first top ten pop single.
named as a "new-star female The song's b-side, "Do Right
After turning 18, Franklin confided vocalist" in Down Beat magazine. Woman, Do Right Man", reached
to her father that she aspired to In 1962, Columbia issued two more the R&B top 40, peaking at number
follow Sam Cooke to record pop albums, The Electrifying Aretha 37. In April, Atlantic issued her
music. Serving as her manager, C. Franklin and The Tender, the frenetic version of Otis Redding's
L. agreed to the move and helped to Moving, the Swinging Aretha "Respect", which shot to number-
produce a two-song demo that soon Franklin, the latter of which charted one on both the R&B and pop
was brought to the attention of number 69 on the Billboard Pop charts and later became her
Columbia Records, who agreed to LPs chart. signature song and was later hailed
sign her in 1960. Franklin was as a civil rights and feminist
signed as a "five-percent artist". By 1964, Franklin began recording anthem.
During this period, Franklin would more pop music, reaching the top
Franklin's debut Atlantic album, I Hey, which featured production
Never Loved a Man the Way I Love from Quincy Jones. Despite the In 1985, inspired by her desire to
You, also became commercially success of the single, "Angel", the have a "younger sound" in her
successful, later going gold. album bombed upon its release in music, her fifth Arista album,
Franklin scored two more top ten 1973. Franklin continued having Who's Zoomin' Who?, became her
singles in 1967 including "Baby I R&B success with songs such as first album to be certified platinum,
Love You" and "(You Make Me "Until You Come Back to Me" and after selling well over a million
Feel Like A) Natural Woman". "I'm in Love" but by 1975, her copies, thanks to the hits, "Freeway
Franklin's rapport with producer albums and songs were no longer of Love", the title track and
Jerry Wexler helped in the creation top sellers. After Jerry Wexler left "Another Night". The following
of the majority of Franklin's peak Atlantic for Warner Bros. Records year's Aretha album nearly matched
recordings with Atlantic. In 1968, in 1976, Franklin worked on the this success with the hit singles
she issued the top-selling albums, soundtrack to the film, "Sparkle", "Jumpin' Jack Flash", "Jimmy Lee"
Lady Soul and Aretha Now, which with Curtis Mayfield. The album and "I Knew You Were Waiting for
included some of Franklin's most yielded Franklin's final top 40 hit of Me", her international number-one
popular hit singles including the decade, "Something He Can duet with George Michael. During
"Chain of Fools", "Ain't No Way", Feel", which also peaked at that period, Franklin provided
"Think" and "I Say a Little Prayer". number-one on the R&B chart. vocals to the theme songs of the
In February 1968, Franklin earned Franklin's follow-up albums for shows, A Different World and
the first two of her Grammys Atlantic including Sweet assion, Together. In 1987, she issued her
including the debut category for Almighty Fire and La Diva bombed third gospel album, One Lord, One
Best Female R&B Vocal on the charts and in 1979, Franklin Faith, One Baptism, which was
Performance. On February 16, opted to leave the recorded at her late father's New
1968, Franklin was honored with a company.[citation needed] Bethel church, followed by
day in her honor and was greeted by Through the Storm in 1989.
longtime friend Martin Luther Later years (1980–present) Franklin's 1991 album, What You
King, Jr. who gave her the SCLC See is What You Sweat, flopped on
Drum Beat Award for Musicians Franklin performing on April 21, the charts. Franklin returned to the
just two months before his death. In 2007, at the Nokia Theater in charts in 1993 with the dance song
June 1968, she appeared on the Dallas, Texas "A Deeper Love" and returned to
cover of Time magazine. n 1980, after leaving Atlantic the top 40 with the song "Willing to
Records, Franklin signed with Forgive" in 1994.
Clive Davis' Arista Records and
"Respect" that same year gave a command In 1998, Franklin returned to the
MENU0:00 performance at the Royal Albert top 40 with the Lauryn Hill-
"Respect" was a huge hit for Hall in front of Queen Elizabeth. produced song, "A Rose Is Still a
Franklin, it became a signature Franklin also made an acclaimed Rose", later issuing the album of
song for her. guest role as a waitress in the the same name, which went gold.
Problems playing this file? See comedy musical, The Blues That same year, Franklin earned
media help. Brothers. Franklin's first Arista international acclaim for her
Franklin's success expanded during album, Aretha, featured the No. 3 performance of "Nessun Dorma" at
the early 1970s in which she R&B hit, "United Together" and the Grammy Awards. Her final
recorded top ten singles such as her Grammy-nominated cover of Arista album, So Damn Happy, was
"Spanish Harlem", "Rock Steady" Otis Redding's "I Can't Turn You released in 2003 and featured the
and "Day Dreaming" as well as the Loose". The follow-up, 1981's Grammy-winning song,
acclaimed albums, Spirit in the Love All the Hurt Away, included "Wonderful". In 2004, Franklin
Dark, Young, Gifted & Black and her famed duet of the title track announced that she was leaving
her gospel album, Amazing Grace, with George Benson while the Arista after over 20 years with the
which sold over two million copies. album also included her Grammy- label. To complete her Arista
In 1971, Franklin became the first winning cover of Sam & Dave's obligations, Franklin issued the
R&B performer to headline "Hold On, I'm Comin'". Franklin duets compilation album, Jewels in
Fillmore West, later recording the returned to the Gold standard– for the Crown: All-Star Duets with the
live album, Aretha Live at Fillmore the first time in seven years– with Queen, in 2007. The following
West. Franklin's career began to the album, Jump to It. Its title track year, she issued the holiday album,
experience problems while was her first top 40 single on the This Christmas, Aretha, on DMI
recording the album, Hey Now pop charts in six years. Records.
Woman" at the 2015 Kennedy City in the 1960s, where she lived
Center Honors during the section until moving to Los Angeles in the
Franklin singing at the 2009 for honoree Carole King, who co- mid-1970s. She eventually settled
inauguration of President Obama wrote the song. During the bridge in Encino, Los Angeles where she
Franklin performed The Star of the song, Ms. Franklin dropped lived until 1982. She then returned
Spangled Banner with Aaron her fur coat to the stage, for which to the Detroit suburb of Bloomfield
Neville and Dr. John for Super the audience rewarded her with a Hills, Michigan to be close to her
Bowl XL, held in her hometown of mid-performance standing ovation. ailing father and siblings. Franklin
Detroit in February 2006. She later maintains a residence there to this
made international headlines for Music style and image day. Following an incident in 1984,
performing "My Country 'Tis of According to Richie Unterberger, she has cited a fear of flying that
Thee" at President Barack Obama's Franklin is "one of the giants of has prevented her from traveling
inaugural ceremony with her soul music, and indeed of American overseas; she has performed only in
church hat becoming a popular pop as a whole. More than any North America since then.
topic online. In 2010, Franklin other performer, she epitomized
accepted an honorary degree from soul at its most gospel-charged." Franklin is the mother of four sons.
Yale University. In 2011, under her She has often been described as a She became pregnant at the age of
own label, Aretha's Records, she great singer and musician due to just 12 and gave birth to her first
issued the album, Aretha: A "vocal flexibility, interpretive child, named Clarence after her
Woman Falling Out Of Love. As of intelligence, skillful piano-playing, father, on January 28, 1955. The
2014, Franklin is now signed under her ear, her experience." Franklin's father of the child is Donald Burk,
RCA Records, controller of the voice has been described as being a a boy she knew from school. At the
Arista catalog and a sister label to "powerful mezzo-soprano voice" age of 14 on January 22, 1957,
Columbia via Sony Music and has been praised for her Franklin had a second child named
Entertainment, and is currently arrangements and interpretations of Edward after his father Edward
working again with Clive Davis. A other artists' hit songs. Of Jordan. Both of her children took
new album is in the works with describing Franklin's voice as a her family name. While Franklin
producers Babyface and Danger youngster on her first album, Songs was pursuing her career and
Mouse planning to work with of Faith, released when she was just "hanging out with [friends]",
Franklin. fourteen, Jerry Wexler explained Franklin's grandmother Rachel and
that Franklin's voice "was not that sister Erma took turns raising the
On September 29, 2014, Franklin of a child but rather of an ecstatic children. Franklin's third child, Ted
performed to a standing ovation, hierophant." Franklin's image went White, Jr., was born in 1964 and is
with Cissy Houston as backup, a through rapid changes throughout known professionally as Teddy
compilation of Adele's "Rolling in her career. During the 1960s, Richards. He has provided guitar
the Deep" and "Ain't No Mountain Franklin was known for wearing backing for his mother's band
High Enough" on the Late Show bouffant hairdos and extravagant during live concerts. Her youngest
with David Letterman. Franklin's dresses that were sometimes son, Kecalf Cunningham born
cover of "Rolling in the Deep" embellished with either mink fur or March 28, 1970 is the child of her
would be featured among nine other feathers. In the 1970s, embracing road manager Ken Cunningham.
songs in her first RCA release, her roots, Franklin briefly wore an
Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Afro and the Afrocentric styled Franklin has married twice. She
Diva Classics, released on October clothing admired by her peers. In married Ted White in 1961, despite
21, 2014. the mid-1970s, after dropping objections from her father. After a
weight, Franklin began wearing contentious marriage that involved
In October 2014 Franklin became more fitted attire. By the 1980s, she domestic violence, she divorced
the first woman to have 100 songs had settled on wearing evening White in 1969. She then married
on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop gowns and extravagant dresses. her second husband, actor Glynn
Songs chart with the success of her Turman, on April 11, 1978 at her
cover of Adele's "Rolling in the Personal life father's church. By marrying
Deep", which debuted at number 47 Turman, Franklin became
on the chart. retha Franklin and William stepmother of Turman's three
Wilkerson watching Roger Federer children from a previous marriage.
In December 2015 Franklin gave an at the 2011 US Open. Franklin and Turman separated in
acclaimed performance of "(You After being raised in Detroit, 1982 after Franklin returned to
Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Franklin relocated to New York Michigan from California, and they
divorced in 1984. At one point, honorary aunt, and Whitney often was canceled due to continued
Franklin had plans to walk down referred to her as "Auntie Ree". medical treatment. In addition,
the aisle with longtime companion Whitney died on February 11, Franklin canceled an appearance at
Willie Wilkerson. Franklin and 2012. Franklin stated she was an MLB luncheon in Chicago
Wilkerson had had two previous surprised by her death. She had honoring her commitment to civil
engagements stretching back to initially planned to perform at rights on an August 24 date. She
1988. Franklin eventually called Houston's memorial service on also canceled a performance of
the 2012 engagement off. February 18, but her representative September 21 in Atlanta due to her
claimed that Franklin suffered a leg health recovery. During a phone
Franklin's sisters Erma and Carolyn spasm and was unable to attend. In interview with The Associated
were professional musicians as well response to criticism of her non- Press in late August 2013 Franklin
and spent years performing attendance, she stated, "God knows stated that she had a "miraculous"
background vocals on Franklin's I wanted to be there, but I couldn't." recovery from her undisclosed
recordings. Following Franklin's illness but had to cancel shows and
divorce from Ted White, her Franklin is a registered Democrat. appearances until she was at 100%
brother Cecil became her manager, In 2014, she was granted the health, stating she was "85%
and maintained that position until honorary degree of Doctor of Arts healed". Franklin has since returned
his death from lung cancer on from Harvard University for her to live performing, including a
December 26, 1989. Sister Carolyn contributions to music. 2013 Christmas concert at Detroit's
died the previous year in April 1988 Motor City Casino. She launched a
from breast cancer, while eldest Weight issues and health problems multi-city tour beginning the
sister Erma passed from throat Franklin dealt with weight issues summer of 2014, starting with a
cancer in September 2002. for years. In 1974, she dropped 40 performance of June 14 in New
Franklin's half-brother Vaughn pounds (18 kg) during a crash diet York at the Radio City Music Hall.
died two months after Erma in late and maintained her new weight
2002. Half-sister Carl Kelley (née until the end of the decade. Franklin In 2017, Franklin canceled a series
Jennings; born 1940) is still alive at again lost the weight in the early of concerts due to health reasons.
77. Kelley is C. L. Franklin's 1990s before gaining some back. A During an outdoors Detroit show,
daughter by Mildred Jennings, a former chain smoker who struggled Franklin told the audience to "keep
then 12-year-old congregant of with alcoholism, she quit smoking me in your prayers". In July 2017,
New Salem Baptist Church in in 1992. Franklin admitted in 1994 Franklin reemerged, appearing to
Memphis, where C. L. was pastor. that her smoking was "messing lose more weight before a
Franklin was performing at the with my voice", but after quitting performance at the Wolf Trap in
Aladdin Hotel in Las Vegas, on smoking she said later, in 2003, that Virginia.
June 10, 1979, when her father C. her weight "ballooned".
L. was shot twice at point blank Legacy
range in his Detroit home. After six In 2010, Franklin canceled a
months at Henry Ford Hospital, still number of concerts after she Franklin wipes a tear after being
in a state of coma, C.L. was moved decided to have surgery for an honored with the Presidential
back to his home with 24-hour undisclosed tumor. Discussing the Medal of Freedom on November 9,
nursing care. Aretha moved back to surgery in 2011, she quoted her 2005, at the White House. Seated
Detroit in late 1982 to assist with doctor as saying it would "add 15 to with her are fellow recipients
the care of her father, who died at 20 years" to her life. She denied that Robert Conquest, left, and Alan
Detroit's New Light Nursing Home the ailment had anything to do with Greenspan.
on July 27, 1984. pancreatic cancer, as it was
rumored. On May 19, 2011, A wax sculpture of Franklin on
Some of her music business friends Franklin had her comeback show in display at Madame Tussauds in
have included Dionne Warwick, the Chicago theatre. In May 2013, New York City.
Mavis Staples, and Cissy Houston, Franklin canceled two Franklin received a star on the
who began singing with Franklin as performances to deal with an Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1979,
members of the Sweet Inspirations. undisclosed medical treatment. had her voice declared a Michigan
Cissy sang background on Later in the same month, Franklin "natural resource" in 1985, and
Franklin's classic hit "Ain't No canceled three more concerts in became the first woman inducted
Way". Franklin first met Cissy's June and planned to return to into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
daughter, Whitney, in the early perform in July. However, a show in 1987. NARAS awarded her a
1970s. She was made Whitney's of July 27 in Clarkston, Michigan Grammy Legend Award in 1991,
then the Grammy Lifetime On 29 January 2018, the Oakland
Achievement Award in 1994. Press's correspondent Gary Graff
Franklin was a Kennedy Center finally confirmed that the American
Honoree in 1994, recipient of the Idol runner-up Jennifer Hudson
National Medal of Arts in 1999, and will take the role to play Franklin in
was bestowed the Presidential her coming biopic. The news was
Medal of Freedom in 2005. announced by the Queen of Soul's
executive producer Clive Davis,
Franklin become the second who made public their decision on
woman inducted to the UK Music the choice of actors casting in the
Hall of Fame in 2005. She was the film two days before Graff's article
2008 MusiCares Person of the went published.
Year, performing at the Grammys
days later. Following news of Honorary degrees
Franklin's surgery and recovery in Franklin received an honorary
February 2011, the Grammys degree from Harvard University in
ceremony paid tribute to the singer 2014, as well as honorary
with a medley of her classics doctorates in music from Princeton
performed by Christina Aguilera, University, 2012; Yale University,
Florence Welch, Jennifer Hudson, 2010; Brown University, 2009;
Martina McBride, and Yolanda Berklee College of Music, 2006;
Adams. That same year she was New England Conservatory of
ranked among the Billboard Hot Music, 1995; and University of
100 All-Time top artists, and Michigan, 1987. Franklin was
ranked first on the Rolling Stone granted an honorary Doctor of
list of Greatest Singers of All Time. Humane Letters by Wayne State
University in 1990 and an honorary
Inducted to the GMA Gospel Music Doctor of Law by Bethune-
Hall of Fame in 2012, Franklin has Cookman College in 1975.
been described as "the voice of the
civil rights movement, the voice of
black America" and a "symbol of
black equality". Asteroid 249516
Aretha was named in her honor in
2014.

"American history wells up when


Aretha sings", president Obama
explained his emotional response to
her performance of "A Natural
Woman" at the 2015 Kennedy
Center Honors. "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".

On June 8, 2017, the City of Detroit


honored Franklin's legacy by
renaming a portion of Madison
Street, between Brush and
Witherell Streets, "Aretha Franklin
Way".

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