Aretha Franklin

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Aretha Louise Franklin also known as the Queen of Soul was born on March 25, 1942 in Memphis Tennessee. She is known for being a solo singer, and also a very talented pianist. Soul, R&B, Jazz, and Gospel are genres that she sings. Throughout her career she signed with Colombia Records, along with some others, and has released many popular singles that would now be considered classical. Aretha was the first female artist to be introduced into the Rock and Roll Hall of fame. She also had to grow up sooner than many other girls because she had her first child at a very young age. Up until this day Aretha is still alive living at age seventy-two and has won many Grammy awards and is considered one of the most honored artist. Aretha was born into a family that attended a Baptist church, with her father named, C.L Franklin, who was a Baptist preacher and gospel singer. Her mother was also a gospel singer and somehow there came to be reports that her mother had abandoned Aretha and her siblings, but she claims it to be all a lie (“CNN”). She was the fourth of five children, and lost her mother in 1952, a few years after her parents had gotten divorced. Aretha was then moved with her father and siblings to Michigan because of her father’s preaching calling “Guided by C.L.'s preaching assignments, the family relocated to Detroit, Michigan. C.L. eventually landed at Detroit's New Bethel Baptist Church, where he gained national renown as a preacher”("Aretha Louise Franklin."). In Michigan, they found a church in which they attended by the name of, Detroit’s New Baptists. Her father was recognized as a preacher and her talent was starting to peek out when she would sing at her Father’s congregation. She mostly self-taught h... ... middle of paper ... ...espect," "Freeway of Love" and "I Say a Little Prayer” (“Biography”). She’s also still alive and her most recent album, “Aretha: A Woman Falling Out of Love” was released in 2011. Works Cited "Aretha Franklin | Music Biography, Credits and Discography | AllMusic." AllMusic. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 May 2014. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/aretha-franklin-mn0000927555>. "Aretha Louise Franklin." Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2014. Web. 12 May 2014. “Biography.” IMDb. IMDb.com, n.d. Web. 9 May 2014. . McCully, Michael. "Aretha Franklin." MUSC103: History of Rock'n Roll. Lecture. Ward, Ed. "Aretha Franklin Before Atlantic: The Columbia Years." NPR. NPR, n.d. Web. 09 May 2014. "WOMEN'S HISTORY MOMENT: MARCH 25, 1942 ~ THE BIRTH OF ARETHA FRANKLIN, QUEEN OF SOUL." BlackInAmerica.com. Dante Lee, 2013. Web. 12 May 2014

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