Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin
Atlantic Records (Life time: Published before 1978 without a copyright notice) · Public domain · source
Birth date	March 25, 1942
Birth place	Memphis, Tennessee
Death date	August 16, 2018
Death place	Detroit, Michigan
Occupation	Singer, songwriter, pianist

Aretha Franklin was a renowned American singer, songwriter, and pianist who was born in Memphis, Tennessee, and raised in Detroit, Michigan, where she began her music career at a young age, singing in the choir of her father's church, New Bethel Baptist Church, alongside other notable gospel singers like Mahalia Jackson and Sam Cooke. She was heavily influenced by her father, C.L. Franklin, a prominent Baptist minister and civil rights activist, who was friends with Martin Luther King Jr. and hosted many famous musicians, including Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong, at their home. Franklin's early life was also shaped by her mother, Barbara Siggers Franklin, who was a talented singer and pianist, and her sisters, Erma Franklin and Carolyn Franklin, who also pursued music careers. She was discovered by John Hammond of Columbia Records and later signed with Atlantic Records, where she worked with producers like Jerry Wexler and Arif Mardin.

Early Life and Career

Aretha Franklin's early life and career were marked by her experiences singing in the church choir and performing with her father on the gospel circuit, which included appearances at the National Baptist Convention and the Apollo Theater in Harlem, New York. She was also influenced by other notable musicians, such as Ray Charles, Sammy Davis Jr., and Ella Fitzgerald, who she met through her father's connections. Franklin's first album, Songs of Faith, was released in 1956, when she was just 14 years old, and was produced by J.V.B. Records and distributed by Chess Records. She later attended Cass Technical High School in Detroit, Michigan, where she studied music and developed her skills as a singer and pianist, alongside other notable alumni, including Diana Ross and Jackie Wilson. Franklin's early career was also shaped by her relationships with other musicians, including James Cleveland and The Clark Sisters, who she collaborated with on various projects.

Music Style and Influences

Aretha Franklin's music style was a unique blend of gospel music, rhythm and blues, and soul music, which was influenced by her experiences singing in the church choir and her exposure to other genres, such as jazz and blues. She was particularly influenced by singers like Billie Holiday, Dinah Washington, and Etta James, who she admired for their powerful voices and emotional delivery. Franklin's music was also shaped by her work with producers like Quincy Jones and Phil Spector, who helped her to develop her signature sound, which included hits like Respect and Think. She was a major influence on other musicians, including Janis Joplin, Tina Turner, and Whitney Houston, who she collaborated with on various projects, including the 1985 Live Aid concert at John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Discography and Awards

Aretha Franklin's discography includes over 40 studio albums, 10 live albums, and 15 compilation albums, which have sold millions of copies worldwide and earned her numerous awards and accolades, including 18 Grammy Awards and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Some of her most notable albums include I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You, Lady Soul, and Young, Gifted and Black, which featured hits like Chain of Fools and Rock Steady. Franklin was also inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, alongside other notable musicians, including Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, and Little Richard. She won numerous awards, including the American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist and the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Female Artist, and was named one of the 100 Greatest Singers of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine.

Personal Life and Legacy

Aretha Franklin's personal life was marked by her experiences as a single mother and her struggles with weight and health issues, which she wrote about in her autobiography, Aretha: From These Roots. She was married twice, first to Theodore "Ted" White and then to Glynn Turman, and had four children, including Clarence Franklin and Kecalf Cunningham. Franklin was also a longtime resident of Detroit, Michigan, where she was involved in various charitable and community organizations, including the United Negro College Fund and the NAACP. She was a major influence on the Civil Rights Movement, and her music was often used as a soundtrack for the movement, including her iconic performance at the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Franklin's legacy continues to be celebrated by musicians and fans around the world, and she remains one of the most successful and influential musicians of all time, with a career spanning over five decades and numerous collaborations with other notable artists, including George Michael, Elton John, and Stevie Wonder.

Film and Television Appearances

Aretha Franklin made numerous film and television appearances throughout her career, including performances on The Ed Sullivan Show, The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and Soul Train. She also appeared in several films, including The Blues Brothers and Blues Brothers 2000, alongside other notable musicians, including John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, and James Brown. Franklin's music was also featured in various films and television shows, including Forrest Gump, The Bodyguard, and The Cosby Show, and she won numerous awards for her performances, including an Emmy Award for Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special for her performance on The Grammy Awards. Franklin's final performance was at the Elton John AIDS Foundation benefit in New York City in 2017, where she performed alongside other notable musicians, including Elton John and Stevie Wonder.