Portrait of Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin

Origin: Memphis, Tennessee, USA Years: March 25, 1942 - August 16, 2018

Aretha Franklin, known as 'The Queen of Soul,' was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist who became one of the most influential musicians in American history. Beginning as gospel singer in 1956, Franklin transitioned to secular music in 1960 and recorded 88 chart hits including 20 Top 10 singles like 'Respect,' 'Chain of Fools,' and 'Natural Woman.' Her powerful vocals, gospel-influenced delivery, and socially conscious lyrics defined soul music for generations. A 18-time Grammy winner and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, Franklin was the first woman inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and received Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005. Her songs have sold over 75 million copies worldwide.

SoulR&BGospelPopBluesJazzDisco

Discography Overview

Aretha Franklin recorded 88 chart hits including 20 Top 10 singles from 1960 to 2018, with classics like 'Respect,' 'Chain of Fools,' and 'Natural Woman.' The 'Queen of Soul' won 18 Grammy Awards and was the first woman inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

Key Albums

  • I Never Loved a Man the Way I Loved You (1967)
  • Lady Soul (1968)
  • Spirit in the Dark (1970)
  • Young, Gifted and Black (1972)
  • Amazing Grace (1972)
  • Jump to It (1982)

Key Songs

  • (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman (1967) - Signature song
  • Respect (1967)
  • Chain of Fools (1968)
  • I Say a Little Prayer (1968)
  • Think (1968)
  • Spanish Harlem (1961)
  • Rock Steady (1967)
  • Bridge Over Troubled Water (1972)
  • Young, Gifted and Black (1972)
  • Until You Come Back to Me (1973)
  • Freeway of Love (1985)
  • It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't, Never Was (1986)

Career Timeline

  1. 1942 Aretha Louise Franklin born on March 25 in Memphis, Tennessee
  2. 1956 Begins singing gospel at New Bethel Baptist Church
  3. 1960 Signs with Columbia Records
  4. 1961 Achieves first R&B hit with 'Never Let Me Go'
  5. 1965 Signs with Atlantic Records
  6. 1967 Achieves breakthrough with 'I Never Loved a Man'
  7. 1967 Records 'Respect', becomes civil rights anthem
  8. 1968 Wins first two Grammy Awards
  9. 1970 Appears at Watts Summer Festival
  10. 1972 Records 'Amazing Grace', gospel masterpiece
  11. 1973 Signs with Warner Bros. Records
  12. 1980 Signs with Arista Records
  13. 1985 Achieves comeback with 'Freeway of Love'
  14. 1987 First woman inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  15. 1994 Receives Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
  16. 1998 Appears at Grammy Awards tribute to Princess Diana
  17. 2005 Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom
  18. 2008 Appears at Democratic National Convention
  19. 2010 Continues touring and recording
  20. 2017 Appears at Aretha Franklin: The Queen of Soul
  21. 2018 Dies on August 16 from pancreatic cancer, age 76
  22. 2019 Posthumous tribute concerts

Influence Graph

How Aretha Franklin sits in the influence chain

Influenced

  • Adele
  • Lady Gaga

Similar Artists