Legendary Aretha Franklin – The Amazing Story Of The Queen Of Soul
No matter who you happen to be or where you have been, chances are that you’ve heard one or more of Aretha Franklin’s terrific songs. Chances are also that you have had one of these classics ringing pleasurably in your head for hours on end.
The Queen of Soul has that effect on individuals everywhere, and she actually is heading out on the road once more this summer to provide millions of her fans with one more reason to cherish her work.
Life Story
Franklin was born in Memphis on March 25, 1942. Immediately after a bit of moving around, her family settled in Detroit when Aretha was seven.
She was already familiar with music from a young age, and started off singing in her father’s church. She was soon an extremely well-known member of the choir, and she produced her very first recording at the age of 14.
After this first recording, Franklin entered “adulthood” almost instantly. She signed a recording contract with Columbia Records and then became a mother when she was just 15, having her first son, Clarence, Jr. Franklin had another son, Eddie, when she was 16.
At this time, Franklin had to make a choice – be a full-time mother or pursue her musical career. She picked the latter, as her grandmother helped her look after her sons when she continued to record songs. Franklin married Ted White in 1962 and had another boy, “Teddy” White, Junior in 1969.
She stayed at Columbia Records until 1967, when she relocated to Atlantic Records, and the results were nearly instant thanks to the expanded artistic freedom she had with her brand new label.
Franklin dabbled in gospel, soul and blues themes with her music, and a number of of her songs from this time period became top hits.
Nevertheless, it was her R&B work that got her the nickname, “The Queen of Soul” in the 1960′s. Franklin’s music with Atlantic Records made her an international celebrity, and several of her most popular tracks, including Respect were produced during this period.
Franklin went on to not only tour but to record music, and her profession totals are amazing. She has released an overall total of 52 albums, and has had 17 singles make it to the Top Ten Hot 100 Singles chart.
Franklin has also won 17 Grammy Awards in various categories, but that is far from her only entry into her list of accomplishments.
Franklin became the very first woman inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame in 1987, and was the second female to gain entry into the UK Music Hall of Fame sometime in 2005.
The Queen of Soul has also been recognized by more than just one President of the United States. In 1999, President Bill Clinton awarded Franklin with the National Medal of Arts, and President George W. Bush bestowed upon Franklin the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005.
What This All Means
Her tunes are timeless and the memories from her shows live on in the minds of those budding music artist learning how to play rock piano sheet music. Franklin will be delivering those same memories this summer.
Catch her music online by searching: listen music rock or music rock music.