Aretha Franklin: Her Life and Career in Photos
Aretha Franklin, the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, died at age 76 on August 16, 2018. Take a look back at her life and career in photos.
Aretha Franklin was born in Memphis, Tennessee, on March 25, 1942. Her family relocated to Buffalo, New York when she was 2 and by the age of 5 had settled permanently in Detroit.
LOS ANGELES (Variety)
She was a self-taught pianist, who learned without knowing how to read music.
Long before her career in music, Aretha became a young mother at the age of 15.
She gave birth to her first child, Clarence, who was named after her father, on January 1955.Her vocal range was said to be approximately between G2 and E6, and she had a mostly mezzo-soprano voice.
“I go wherever I choose to go comfortably on my custom bus”
Franklin’s first hit single was “I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)” in 1967.
Is extremely private, she rarely discusses her personal life or her father’s death.
Her father was shot by burglars in 1979 and remained in a coma until his death in 1984.
Beatles legend Paul McCartney said fans should “take a moment to give thanks for the beautiful life of Aretha Franklin, the Queen of our souls, who inspired us all for many many years.”
McCartney: “memory of her greatness as a musician and a fine human being will live with us forever.”
The greatest voice in American popular music has been stilled. Our beloved #ArethaFranklin has gone. For me, she was a musical lighthouse, guiding and inspiring with every note. I loved her so and love her still. Goodbye, Queen of Soul.
— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) August 16, 2018
In 1987 the Queen of Soul became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Franklin sold millions of albums and was the icon of a generation.
When she died, she left behind a $60 million fortune.
Franklin had 44 Grammy nominations and 18 wins.
US President Bill Clinton awards singer Aretha Franklin with a 1999 National Medal of the Arts as fi..Bill Clinton: “For more than 50 years, she stirred our souls. She was elegant, graceful, and utterly uncompromising in her artistry.
As the One and Only ‘Queen of Soul’ Aretha Franklin was simply peerless. She has reigned supreme. and will always be held in the highest firmament of stars as the most exceptional vocalist, performer and recording artist the world has ever been privilege… https://t.co/7DH7TIP3Nl pic.twitter.com/HfQh7kLM4o
— Annie Lennox (@AnnieLennox) August 16, 2018
The loss of @ArethaFranklin is a blow for everybody who loves real music: Music from the heart, the soul and the Church. Her voice was unique, her piano playing underrated – she was one of my favourite pianists. pic.twitter.com/ug5oZYywAz
— Elton John (@eltonofficial) August 16, 2018
Aretha Franklin Died on Same Day as Elvis Presley
“The King” died suddenly in 1977 at the age of 42. He was found dead in his bathroom after suffering a heart attack.
Franklin and Presley aren’t the only famous Americans to have died on Aug. 16. Babe Ruth aka ‘The Sultan of Swat,’ died on Aug. 16 in 1948.
President Donald Trump opened a Cabinet meeting on Thursday by saying, “I want to begin today by expressing my condolences to the family of a person I knew well. She worked for me on numerous occasions.
She was terrific. She brought joy to millions of lives and her extraordinary legacy will thrive and inspire many generations to come.
Trump: “She was given a great gift from God — her voice, and she used to well. People loved Aretha. She was a special woman. So just want to pass on my warmest best wishes and sympathies to her family.”
A high school dropout, she has two honorary doctorates of music, from Berklee College of Music and Yale University.
Has performed at the inaugural events of three US presidents: Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.
Industry legend Clive Davis, who oversaw many of Franklin’s albums on his Arista label in the ’80s as well as her most recent 2014 record.
Clive: “Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics”
What a life. What a legacy!
So much love, respect and gratitude.
R.I.P. @ArethaFranklin https://t.co/400K1U5IHI— Carole King (@Carole_King) August 16, 2018
Singer Luciano Pavarotti gestures towards singer Aretha Franklin during a photo opportunity at the ..