Aretha Franklin Biography

Aretha Franklin got her start singing at her father Reverend C.L. Franklin's New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, and thereafter made her first recordings as a gospel artist at the ripe age of 14.Signing with the talent scout John Hammond and Columbia in 1960, Franklin produced hit after hit during the first half of the 60s, including Top 40 R&B single "Rock-a-by Your Baby With a Dixie Melody." After Columbia failed to expose the true potential of Franklin, she left them after six years for Atlantic. Producer Jerry Wexler was determined to get out the soulful, R&B spirit that had never been exposed at her previous label. Recording with Muscle Shoals South Rhythm Section in New York City, the 60s made Franklin an international star with ten Top Ten hits in an 18-month span and several albums that were huge sellers. Titling her the "Queen of Soul," Aretha Arrives, released in 1967, Aretha Now and Lady Soul, both released in 1968, included chart topping hits like "Chain of Fools" and "Since You've Been Gone (Sweet Sweet Baby)."Franklin combined her passionate voice with a gospel, blues, pop and rock sound, creating original hit singles as well as covering the likes of The Beatles, Simon & Garfunkel and The Drifters. Hits during the 70s included "Bridge Over Troubled Water" and "Day Dreaming," with album releases like Live at Fillmore West and Amazing Grace. The Atlantic contract ended at the end of the 1970s, after 12 years and 19 albums. Since then she had created a few more hit singles but nothing of her 60s caliber. She recorded songs for Arista in genres running from gospel to dance, including "Freeway of Love" and "Who's Zoomin' Who." She was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and became the youngest recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors in 1994, at the age of 52.