Aretha Franklin

Born: 1942 in Memphis, TN

Died: 2018

American songwriter, musician & singer whose career began singing gospel at minister father’s church.

Had commercial success with songs like “Respect” & “Natural Woman”.

Earned title as “The Queen of Soul,” she had 20 #1 R&B singles & won an amazing 18 Grammy Awards.

1st female performer inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

Rolling Stone magazine put her at #1 on list of 100 Greatest Singers of All Time.

One of her biggest hits, ‘Respect’ became a strong anthem for the civil rights & feminist movements.

She performed at the inaugurations of three U.S. Presidents: Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton & Barack Obama.