Franklin was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, celebrating her roots in gospel music.
She was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a testament to her legendary status.
Franklin was recognized with the NAACP Image Award – Hall of Fame Award for her contributions to the arts.
Biography
Early Life
Aretha Louise Franklin was born on March 25, 1942, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Barbara and Clarence LaVaughn "C. L." Franklin. Her father was a Baptist minister, and her mother was a talented pianist and vocalist. The family moved to Buffalo, New York, when Aretha was two, and later settled in Detroit, Michigan, where C. L. Franklin became the pastor of the New Bethel Baptist Church. Aretha's childhood was marked by tragedy; her parents separated when she was six, and her mother passed away from a heart attack when Aretha was just nine. Despite these challenges, she found solace in music, learning to play the piano by ear and singing in church.
Musical Career
Aretha's musical journey began at a young age, performing at her father's church and signing her first recording deal at 14. Her debut single, "Never Grow Old," was released in 1956, followed by several gospel albums. As she transitioned into secular music, Franklin's powerful voice and emotive style made her a defining figure in soul music. Her 1967 hit "Respect" became an anthem for the civil rights movement, showcasing her ability to blend artistry with activism. Over her career, she released numerous acclaimed albums, including "I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You" and "Lady Soul," solidifying her status as the "Queen of Soul."
Activism and Legacy
Beyond her musical achievements, Franklin was deeply involved in civil rights and women's rights activism. She supported various movements and used her platform to advocate for social change, famously stating her support for Angela Davis during her imprisonment. Franklin's music, particularly songs like "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," resonated with the struggles for equality and empowerment. Her legacy is celebrated through numerous awards, including the Presidential Medal of Freedom and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, marking her as one of the most influential artists in American history.
Collected from open sources (4) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Discography
Almighty Fire1978
- 1.Almighty Fire (Woman of the Future)4:36
- 2.Lady, Lady2:45
- 3.More Than Just a Joy3:03
- 4.Keep On Loving You3:12
- 5.I Needed You Baby4:38
- 6.Close to You4:22
- 7.No Matter Who You Love4:01
- 8.This You Can Believe4:46
- 9.I’m Your Speed3:40
Sweet Passion1977
- 1.Break It to Me Gently3:21
- 2.When I Think About You4:46
- 3.What I Did for Love5:17
- 4.No One Could Ever Love You More3:36
- 5.A Tender Touch3:58
- 6.Touch Me Up4:38
- 7.Sunshine Will Never Be the Same3:36
- 8.Meadows of Springtime5:26
- 9.Mumbles / I've Got the Music in Me3:40
- 10.Sweet Passion7:12
You1975
- 1.Mr. DJ (5 for the D.J.)4:25
- 2.It Only Happens (When I Look at You)4:23
- 3.I’m Not Strong Enough to Love You Again4:16
- 4.Walk Softly4:48
- 5.You Make My Life4:15
- 6.Without You5:13
- 7.The Sha‐La Bandit4:00
- 8.You4:40
- 9.You Got All the Aces3:52
- 10.As Long as You Are There3:44
With Everything I Feel in Me1974
- 1.Without Love3:48
- 2.Don’t Go Breaking My Heart3:52
- 3.When You Get Right Down to It3:55
- 4.You’ll Never Get to Heaven5:01
- 5.With Everything I Feel in Me3:56
- 6.I Love Every Little Thing About You2:44
- 7.Sing It Again, Say It Again4:02
- 8.All of These Things3:44
- 9.You Move Me4:35
Let Me in Your Life1974
- 1.Let Me in Your Life3:31
- 2.Every Natural Thing2:37
- 3.Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing3:50
- 4.I’m in Love2:51
- 5.Until You Come Back to Me (That’s What I’m Gonna Do)3:28
- 6.The Masquerade Is Over4:32
- 7.With Pen in Hand5:08
- 8.Oh Baby5:00
- 9.Eight Days on the Road3:04
- 10.If You Don’t Think3:54
- 11.A Song for You5:33
Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky)1973
- 1.Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky)4:44
- 2.Somewhere6:20
- 3.So Swell When You’re Well4:17
- 4.Angel4:30
- 5.Sister From Texas3:13
- 6.Mister Spain6:47
- 7.That’s the Way I Feel About Cha7:08
- 8.Moody’s Mood3:00
- 9.Just Right Tonight7:46
- 10.Master of Eyes (The Deepness of Your Eyes)3:24
Never Grow Old1973
- 1.Mother Loves Her Children
- 2.I Will Trust in the Lord
- 3.The Old Ship of Zion, Part 1
- 4.The Old Ship of Zion, Part 2
- 5.Never Grow Old
- 6.I’m Going Through, Part 1
- 7.I’m Going Through, Part 2
- 8.Precious Lord, Part 1
- 9.Precious Lord, Part 2
- 10.You Grow Closer
Young, Gifted and Black1972
- 1.Oh Me Oh My (I’m a Fool for You Baby)3:39
- 2.Day Dreaming3:58
- 3.Rock Steady3:12
- 4.Young, Gifted and Black3:32
- 5.All the King’s Horses3:53
- 6.A Brand New Me4:23
- 7.April Fools3:27
- 8.I’ve Been Loving You Too Long3:32
- 9.First Snow in Kokomo4:04
- 10.The Long and Winding Road3:36
- 11.Didn’t I (Blow Your Mind This Time)3:40
- 12.Border Song (Holy Moses)3:19
Spirit in the Dark1970
- 1.Don’t Play That Song3:00
- 2.The Thrill Is Gone (From Yesterday’s Kiss)4:42
- 3.Pullin’3:36
- 4.You and Me3:36
- 5.Honest I Do3:19
- 6.Spirit in the Dark4:02
- 7.When the Battle Is Over2:42
- 8.One Way Ticket2:51
- 9.Try Matty’s2:32
- 10.That’s All I Want From You2:46
- 11.Oh No Not My Baby2:53
- 12.Why I Sing the Blues3:05
This Girl’s in Love With You1970
- 1.Son of a Preacher Man3:14
- 2.Share Your Love With Me3:16
- 3.Dark End of the Street4:40
- 4.Let It Be3:28
- 5.Eleanor Rigby2:35
- 6.This Girl’s in Love With You3:46
- 7.It Ain’t Fair3:20
- 8.The Weight2:52
- 9.Call Me3:47
- 10.Sit Down and Cry3:49
Soft and Beautiful1969
- 1.Only the Lonely4:55
- 2.I Wish I Didn’t Love You So2:55
- 3.(Ah, the Apple Trees) When the World Was Young4:44
- 4.Shangri‐La3:15
- 5.A Mother’s Love2:34
- 6.My Coloring Book4:08
- 7.Jim2:29
- 8.Friendly Persuasion (Thee I Love)2:18
- 9.But Beautiful2:57
- 10.People4:20
Soul ’691969
- 1.Ramblin’3:10
- 2.Today I Sing the Blues4:26
- 3.River’s Invitation2:41
- 4.Pitiful3:05
- 5.Crazy He Calls Me3:29
- 6.Bring It On Home to Me3:45
- 7.Tracks of My Tears2:57
- 8.If You Gotta Make a Fool of Somebody3:09
- 9.Gentle on My Mind2:29
- 10.So Long4:37
- 11.I’ll Never Be Free4:16
- 12.Elusive Butterfly2:46
Lady Soul1968
Tracklist not collected yet.
Aretha Now1968
Tracklist not collected yet.
I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You1967
Tracklist not collected yet.
Aretha Arrives1967
Tracklist not collected yet.
Take It Like You Give It1967
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Soul Sister1966
Tracklist not collected yet.
Yeah!!!1965
Tracklist not collected yet.
Runnin’ Out of Fools1964
Tracklist not collected yet.
Unforgettable: A Tribute to Dinah Washington1964
Tracklist not collected yet.
Laughing on the Outside1963
Tracklist not collected yet.
The Electrifying Aretha Franklin1962
Tracklist not collected yet.
The Tender, the Moving, the Swinging Aretha Franklin1962
Tracklist not collected yet.
Aretha1961
Tracklist not collected yet.
Gallery
Label
- Record label
- Arista Records
- Record label
- Atlantic Records
- Record label
- Battle Records
- Record label
- Columbia Records
- Record label
- RCA
- Record label
- Warner Music Group
- Record label
- Checker
Achievements
- Award
- honorary doctor of Harvard University
- Award
- National Medal of Arts
- Award
- Presidential Medal of Freedom
- Award
- Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
- Award
- Grammy Legend Award
- Award
- MusiCares Person of the Year
- Award
- Gospel Music Hall of Fame
- Award
- Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance
- Award
- Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
- Award
- Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance
- Award
- American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Female Artist
- Award
- American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Album
- Award
- Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals
- Award
- Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance, Female
- Award
- Kennedy Center Honors
- Award
- Grammy Hall of Fame
- Award
- NAACP Image Award – Hall of Fame Award
- Award
- Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance
- Award
- Grammy Award for Best Gospel/Contemporary Christian Music Performance
- Award
- Michigan Women's Hall of Fame
- Award
- Pulitzer Prize Special Citations and Awards
- Award
- star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
- Award
- honorary doctor of Yale University
- Award
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
Influenced by
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Identifiers & aliases
Also known as: Aretha Fanklin, Aretha Franklyn, Aretha Louise Franklin, Aretja Franklin, Arthaa Franklin, Franklin, Aretha
Aretha Louise Franklin was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. Regarded as the "Queen of Soul", she was twice named by Rolling Stone magazine as the greatest singer of all time.
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Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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