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Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin was an American singer and songwriter known as "The Queen of Soul." Franklin began singing in her father's congregation as a young girl and released her first album,
Songs
of Faith
, in 1956. She originally signed with Columbia Records in 1961 before moving over to Atlantic Records in 1967, where she found immediate success with her hit, "I've Never Loved a Man." Franklin's first No. 1 hit came that same year with her cover of Otis Redding's "Respect," which also won Franklin her first two Grammy Awards. The song subsequently became a civil rights anthem throughout the late '60s and '70s. Some of Franklin's other Top 10 hits include "Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)," (Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone," "Baby I Love You'' and (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman." Franklin won 18 Grammy Awards throughout her career — eight of which were consecutive wins for best R&B female vocal performance from 1967 to 1974. Additionally, she received invitations to sing at the inauguration of three U.S. presidents, including Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama. In 1987, Franklin became the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She died on Aug. 16, 2018, at the age of 76.
Aretha Franklin's 4 Children: All About Clarence, Edward, Teddy and Kecalf
Remembering Aretha Franklin's Life in Photos
What Is Diva Week? An Astrologist Weighs in On the Significance of These Famous Aries Birthdays
11
American Idol
Contestants with Famous Relatives
The Sound of '74: 10 Landmark R&B Albums Turning 50 This Year
Pete Davidson Reveals He Was High on Ketamine at Aretha Franklin's Funeral: 'I'm Embarrassed'
Aretha Franklin's Sons Awarded Real Estate Thanks to a 2014 Will Found in Between Couch Cushions
Aretha Franklin's Handwritten Will Found in Sofa Ruled Valid in Court After Family Dispute
Former BET CEO Debra Lee on New Memoir, and Saying 'No' to Aretha Franklin and Oprah Winfrey
Chaka Khan Shades Mariah Carey and Mary J. Blige After Placing 29th on Greatest Singers List
Aretha Franklin's Unsealed FBI File Reveals Singer's Civil Rights Actions Were Being Tracked
Whitney, Aretha and Springsteen! Clive Davis Shares Career Secrets of Music's Biggest Stars
Céline Dion, Ben Affleck, and More Celebrities Who Have Received Honorary Doctorate Degrees
Aretha Franklin's Granddaughter Performs Iconic Singer's 'Ain't No Way' for 'American Idol' Audition
12 Stars Who Have Spoken About Their Fear of Flying
Jennifer Hudson Recalls Her Final Conversation with Aretha Franklin: 'She Sang to Me on That Call'
Celebrities Who Were in Sororities
Jennifer Hudson Sparkles in a Purple Dolce & Gabbana Gown with Matching Veil at 'Respect' Premiere
'Respect' Director Says Jennifer Hudson Had Movie Crew 'Crying' When She Sang as Aretha Franklin
PEOPLE Celebrates Aretha Franklin in a New Special Edition
Jennifer Hudson Says Aretha Franklin Is 'Still with' Her 'Almost Every Day' After 'Respect' Role
Jennifer Hudson Says She Related to Aretha Franklin as a 'Person Who Has Suffered a Lot of Loss'
Jennifer Hudson Celebrates Aretha Franklin's 'Spirit' with New 'Here I Am' Visualizer
Jennifer Hudson Talks Playing Aretha Franklin as Trailer for 'Respect' Drops: 'A Dream Come True'
Respect! Hear Cynthia Erivo's Heart-Stopping Performance as Aretha Franklin in 'Genius: Aretha'
Cynthia Erivo on Honoring the 'Brillant' Aretha Franklin in Upcoming TV Biopic
Jennifer Hudson's Aretha Franklin Biopic Respect Delayed by Another Seven Months
Jennifer Hudson Pays Tribute to Aretha Franklin 2 Years After the Music Icon's Death
Jennifer Hudson on Playing Aretha Franklin in New Film Respect: 'It Still Feels Like She's in Me'
Jennifer Hudson Channels Aretha Franklin in Stunning New Photos from Respect
Aretha Franklin Said 'No Amount of Money' Could Get Her to Play Trump's Inauguration: New Book
Aretha Franklin's Youngest Son Criticizes Upcoming Biopic 'Respect' Starring Jennifer Hudson
Watch Jennifer Hudson Sing 'Respect' and Stun as Aretha Franklin in First Footage from New Biopic
Jennifer Hudson Says She Hopes to Make Aretha Franklin 'Proud' in Playing Her Idol in 'Respect'
First Look! Cynthia Erivo Transforms Into Aretha Franklin for 'Genius' Anthology Series
From Aretha Franklin to Beyoncé: How Harlem's Iconic Apollo Theater Gave Rise to Black Stars for 85 Years
Jennifer Hudson Transforms Into Aretha Franklin for Upcoming Biopic 'Respect'
Cynthia Erivo Is Already Channeling Aretha Franklin for 'Genius' Role with Her Go-To Karaoke Song
'The Queen Next Door' : New Book Shows Never Before Seen Photos of Aretha Franklin's Life Offstage
Master Recordings by Aretha Franklin, Elton John, Nirvana and More Were Destroyed in 2008 Fire
People Now: All About The Bachelorette Contestant Who's Already Fallen in Love with Hannah B. - Watch the Full Episode
Aretha Franklin 'Did' Have a Will When She Died — In Fact, She Had Three
Fantasia, Yolanda Adams and Andra Day Come Together for Moving Aretha Franklin Grammys Tribute
Fantasia, Yolanda Adams and Andra Day Will Honor Aretha Franklin with Grammy Tribute Performance
Aretha Franklin's Son Kecalf Jailed for DUI Arrest Following the Queen of Soul's Death: Report
Aretha Franklin's Lawyer Says Back Taxes 'Were Paid Prior to Her Death' as Estate Is Audited by IRS
Aretha Franklin's Last Home in Detroit Sold by Her Estate for $300,000
Elton John Recalls Hosting Aretha Franklin's Final Public Performance: 'It Was an Honor'
Aretha Franklin's Michigan Mansion Listed for $800K Two Months After Her Death
Everything You Need to Know About the 2018 American Music Awards
Gladys Knight Will Lead Aretha Franklin Tribute at 2018 American Music Awards
Pete Davidson 'Didn't Even Know' Bishop's Embrace with Ariana Grande 'Happened Until After'
Burt Reynolds, Anthony Bourdain & Aretha Franklin Honored in Touching Emmys in Memoriam
'AGT' Singer Pays Tribute to Aretha Franklin with 'A Natural Woman' — But Simon Cowell Disapproves
Aretha Franklin's Family Calls Rev. Jasper Williams Jr.'s Eulogy at Her Funeral 'Distasteful'
Lawyer Confirms Aretha Franklin Died Without a Will: 'I Tried to Convince Her'
100 Pink Cadillacs and a Final Outfit Change: What You Didn't See at Aretha Franklin's Funeral
Mike Colter Apologizes for Comments About Bishop Touching Ariana Grande at Aretha Franklin's Funeral
Bishop at Aretha Franklin's Funeral Apologizes to Ariana Grande for Touching Her, Taco Bell Joke
Stevie Wonder Performs 'The Lord's Prayer' and His Own 'As' to Close Out Aretha Franklin's Funeral
Aretha Franklin's Funeral: Stars Turn Out to Lay the Queen of Soul to Rest
Gladys Knight Says She 'Had the Same Disease' as Aretha Franklin — But Didn't Mean Cancer
Bishop at Aretha Franklin's Funeral Mistakes Ariana Grande for a Taco Bell Menu Item
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