Aretha Franklin

Aretha Louise Franklin (March 25, 1942 – August 16, 2018) was an iconic American singer, songwriter, and pianist, often hailed as the "Queen of Soul." Recognized by Rolling Stone as the greatest singer of all time on two occasions, she sold over 75 million records worldwide, securing her place among the top-selling music artists globally.

Franklin's musical journey began in her childhood, singing gospel at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, where her father, C. L. Franklin, served as a minister. At just 18, she signed with Columbia Records, but it was her move to Atlantic Records in 1966 that marked the turning point in her career. With hits like "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)," "Respect," and "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," she soared to prominence.

Throughout her career, Franklin produced a series of critically acclaimed albums, including I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You (1967), Lady Soul (1968), and Amazing Grace (1972). After parting ways with Atlantic in 1979, she joined Arista Records, where she continued to thrive, releasing successful albums such as Jump to It (1982) and Who's Zoomin' Who? (1985).

With 112 charted singles on the US Billboard charts, including 73 on the Hot 100 and 20 number-one R&B hits, Franklin's legacy is profound. She won 18 Grammy Awards and received numerous accolades, including the National Medal of Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. In 1987, she became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and her influence was further recognized with a posthumous Pulitzer Prize citation in 2019. In 2020, she was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame, cementing her status as a cultural icon.