Aretha. Inarguably the Queen of Soul. No denying it; she had a voice – so pure it could move you to tears. She could take any song and make it her own; you knew it was her from the first note.
Despite her personal battles (she struggled with addictions as well as financial and health issues) her legacy will be remembered for an impressive body of musical work… and that voice.
Aretha reached commercial acclaim and success starting in 1967 with songs such as “Respect”, “Baby I Love You”, “Chain of Fools”, “Think”, “You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman”, “Freeway of Love” and many, many more; selling over 75 million records worldwide.
Aretha’s vocal range and abilities rivaled many of her contemporaries; and she could stand toe-to-toe with vocal styling along the likes of Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Streisand, et al. She did find critical acclaim taking home 18 Grammy Awards including the first eight awards for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance from 1968 through 1975; and in 1987 was the first female performer to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
However, her most sublime success remain some of her most personal achievements. Close friends, acquaintances and even strangers tell stories of outstanding philanthropy. As a devoutly religious student, she maintained a lifelong habit of giving – in many cases to her detriment.
“Be your own artist, and always be confident in what you’re doing. If you’re not going to be confident, you might as well not be doing it.”
Aretha Franklin
1942 – 2018