Aretha Franklin (1942-2018)

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Aretha Franklin (1942-2018)

Aretha Louise Franklin was born March 25th, 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee to Barbara and Clarence Franklin. Her father was a Baptist Minister and Circuit Preacher and her mother was an accomplished piano player and vocalist.

Aretha’s parents divorced in 1948, due to her father’s infidelities. Her mother moved back to Buffalo with Aretha’s half-brother, returning to visit throughout the year. Barbara died of a heart attack on March 7th, 1952, a short time away from Aretha’s 10th Birthday. After her mother’s death she learned how to play piano by ear and started singing solos at New Bethel. Franklin would also attend public school until her freshman year at Northern High School before because she dropped out early in her Sophomore year.

At the age of 12 her father would start managing her and took her along on his “Gospel Caravan” Tours to perform for numerous churches. With his help, she was signed to her first recording deal with J.V.B. Records. At the age of 16 Franklin went on tour with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and would later sing at his funeral in 1968. In 1960, Aretha was signed to Columbia Records as a “five-percent artist.” Then, in January of 1961, Columbia released her first Sewlar album, Aretha: With the Ray Bryant Combo. She achieved modest success with this label; it wasn’t until signing with Atlantic Records in 1966 that she would find commercial success. By the end of the 1960’s Franklin had come to be known as “The Queen of Soul.” 

Achievements:
1979: Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
1985: Voice declared a Michigan “Natural Resource”
1987: Became the first woman inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
1991: National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences awarded her a Legend Award
1994: Received Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
2005: Received Presidential Medal of Freedom
2018: Inducted to Memphis Music Hall of Fame

Charities:

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