Full Answer
How many children does Aretha Franklin have?
Aretha Franklin had four children. Her first son Clarence was born in 1955. Two years later she gave birth to her second son Edward. Then, after marrying Ted White, she had a third son, Teddy White Jr. Aretha's youngest son Kecalf was born in 1970. All her children appear to have followed in her musical footsteps in some capacity.
Does Aretha Franklin have a back up group?
Aretha Franklin, Actress: The Blues Brothers. Grammy-winning Queen of Soul and the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Aretha Louise Franklin was born in Memphis, Tennessee, to Barbara Vernice (Siggers) and C. L. Franklin, a Baptist minister, who preached at the New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit for over thirty years.
Did Aretha Franklin graduate high school?
Franklin ended up dropping out of high school to care for her son, who she would name Clarence Franklin, after her father. Some two years later when Franklin was 16, she gave birth to another son, Edward Franklin. The singer has never revealed the fathers of her two oldest children.
Does Aretha Franklin have any grandchildren?
In an angry, all-caps post, Kecalf Franklin aimed sharp words at “Genius: Aretha,” the eight-part series scheduled to premiere March 21 with Cynthia Erivo as the Queen of Soul. He says the family does not support ... those who have lobbied to take ...
What kind of education did Aretha Franklin have?
Was nominated for 44 Grammy awards and won 18. Franklin also won three special Grammy awards. A high school dropout, she had two honorary doctorates of music, from Berklee College of Music and Yale University.
How did Aretha Franklin learn to sing?
Largely self-taught, she was regarded as a child prodigy. A gifted pianist with a powerful voice, Franklin got her start singing in front of her father's congregation. By the age of 14, she had recorded some of her earliest tracks at his church, which were released by a small label as the album Songs of Faith in 1956.
Was Aretha Franklin a good student?
Franklin was a good student, but she never graduated high school. Unfortunately, it was too tough considering she was a teen mom. As we mentioned, the singer was a mother of two before she turned 17.
How did Aretha Franklin start her career?
As a teen, Aretha Franklin sang in a junior gospel choir. She released a gospel album, The Gospel Sound of Aretha Franklin, in 1956, at age 14. In 1960 Franklin transitioned from sacred to secular music. She signed with Columbia Records in New York and released her first single, “Today I Sing the Blues,” in 1960.
How many octaves can Aretha Franklin sing?
Aretha Franklin, the legendary Queen of Soul, is dead at 76 Franklin's four-octave range and mastery of melisma made her a force to be reckoned with both on record and on the stage.
What voice type is Aretha Franklin?
Aretha Franklin was a falcon soprano, a rare fach. A falcon soprano is a dramatic voice with a tessitura and timbre similar to a mezzo-soprano, but with the weight and range of a soprano, named after French opera singer Cornélie Falcon (1814-1897).
Did Aretha Franklin have a child at 12?
She first became pregnant at the age of 12 and gave birth to her first child, named Clarence after her father, on January 28, 1955. In one of her handwritten wills, discovered in 2019, Franklin revealed that the father was Edward Jordan.
Did Aretha Franklin write any of her own songs?
Ms. Franklin had the ability to make songs previously identified with other singers her own, and to write original pieces others pined to cover. While she made hundreds of indelible songs in her six-decade-long recording career, these 20 rank among her most defining.
Who is considered the queen of soul?
Aretha FranklinOn April 22, 23, and 24, the Houston Symphony pays tribute to Aretha Franklin, celebrated and known world-wide as the Queen of Soul.
What were Aretha Franklin's last words?
And they said her eyes opened, and she said, 'Bernadette. ' And that was the last word she ever said, they said," Fakir recalled. "That was her favorite song by the Tops, by the way, 'Bernadette. ' So, to have been on her lips, the last word she said.
What album did Aretha Franklin sing?
A hit single ‘United Together’ made to the number 3 on the R&B chart. In 1981, Franklin released her album ‘Love All the Hurt Away ’.
What was the first gospel album by Aretha Franklin?
In the 1970s, Franklin released albums like ‘Spirit in the Dark’, ‘Young, Gifted & Black’, ‘Hey Now Hey’, ‘You’, ‘Sweet Passion’ etc. She also released her first gospel album, titled ‘Amazing Grace’ during the same time. During the same years, she recorded her first live album ‘Aretha Live at Fillmore West’.
Where was Aretha Franklin born?
Childhood & Early Life. Aretha Franklin was born on�March 25, 1942,�in Memphis, Tennessee, to Clarence LaVaughan ‘C.L.’ Franklin and Barbara Siggers Franklin. Her father was a Baptist preacher, while her mother was a gospel singer. She had 3 siblings and they all grew up in a religious household. When Franklin was 5 years old, her family relocated ...
What was Aretha Franklin's first album?
In 1961, Franklin’s debut pop album came out with Columbia Records, titled ‘Aretha: With The Ray Bryant Combo’ . The album was an instant hit with the American listeners and the hit single ‘Rock-a-bye’ catapulted her into an international star.
When did Aretha Franklin release "I Never Love a Man the Way I Love You"?
She also appeared on shows like Hollywood A Go-Go. In 1967 , Aretha singed to Atlantic Records and released ‘I Never Love a Man the Way I Love You’ which topped the R&B chart and the Billboard Hot 100 with hit singles like: ‘Do Right Woman, Do Right man’, ‘Respect’, etc.
When did Aretha Franklin sign with Arista Records?
In 1980 , she signed the Arista Records and gave a memorable performance for the Queen of England at the Royal Albert Hall. She also did a cameo in the musical ‘The Blues Brothers’ in the same year. During the same time, ‘Aretha’ was released.
Did Aretha Franklin have children?
Franklin was subjected to domestic violence throughout their marriage and they divorced in 1969. In 1964, Franklin gave birth to her third son, Ted White, Jr., who is now famously known as Teddy Richards and is a famous musician. In 1968, her fourth son, Kecalf, was born. His father is Ken Cunningham, Aretha Franklin's former manager.
What is Aretha Franklin known for?
Multiple Grammy winner and "Queen of Soul" Aretha Franklin was known for such hits as "Respect," "Freeway of Love" and "I Say a Little Prayer.".
Who was Aretha Franklin's mother?
The fourth of five children, Aretha Louise Franklin was born on March 25, 1942, in Memphis, Tennessee, to Baptist preacher Reverend Clarence La Vaughan "C. L." Franklin and Barbara Siggers Franklin, a gospel singer. Franklin's parents separated by the time she was six, and four years later her mother succumbed to a heart attack.
When did Aretha Franklin release her first album?
In 1960, with her father's blessing, Franklin traveled to New York, where after being courted by several labels, including Motown and RCA, she signed with Columbia Records, who released the album Aretha in 1961 .
When did Aretha Franklin get inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
Franklin went on to release several popular singles, many of which are now considered classics. In 1987 she became the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and in 2008 she won her 18th Grammy Award, making her one of the most honored artists in Grammy history.
What song did Aretha Franklin sing with George Michael?
Her follow-up, 1986's Aretha, also charted well and eventually went gold, and her duet with British singer George Michael, "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me),'' hit No. 1 on the pop charts.
How did Aretha Franklin's mother die?
Aretha's mother died of a heart attack on March 7, 1952, before Aretha's 10th birthday. Several women, including Aretha's grandmother, Rachel, and Mahalia Jackson, took turns helping with the children at the Franklin home. During this time, Aretha learned how to play piano by ear.
Where was Aretha Franklin born?
L." Franklin. She was delivered at her family's home located at 406 Lucy Avenue, Memphis , Tennessee. Her father was a Baptist minister and circuit preacher originally from Shelby, Mississippi, while her mother was an accomplished piano player and vocalist. Both Mr. and Mrs. Franklin had children from prior relationships in addition to the four children they had together. When Aretha was two, the family relocated to Buffalo, New York. By the time Aretha turned five, C. L. Franklin had permanently relocated the family to Detroit, where he took over the pastorship of the New Bethel Baptist Church.
What subway station was named after Franklin?
After Franklin's death, fans added unofficial tributes to two New York City Subway stations: the Franklin Street station in Manhattan, served by the 1 train, and the Franklin Avenue station in Brooklyn, served by the C and S trains. Both stations were originally named after other people. Although the fan tributes were later taken down, the subway system's operator, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, placed temporary black-and-white stickers with the word "Respect" next to the "Franklin" name signs in each station.
What was Franklin's last hit?
The album yielded Franklin's final top-40 hit of the decade, " Something He Can Feel ", which also peaked at number one on the R&B chart. Franklin's follow-up albums for Atlantic, including Sweet Passion (1977), Almighty Fire (1978) and La Diva (1979), bombed on the charts, and in 1979 Franklin left the company.
Who was the friend of Aretha Franklin?
Martin Luther King Jr., Jackie Wilson and Sam Cooke all became friends of C. L. Franklin, as well. Ward was romantically involved with Aretha's father from around 1949 to Ward's death in 1973, though Aretha "preferred to view them strictly as friends". Ward also served as a role model to the young Aretha.
Who plays Franklin in Respect?
On January 29, 2018, Gary Graff confirmed that Jennifer Hudson will play Franklin in an upcoming biopic. Franklin's biopic Respect is expected to be released in August 2021 in various countries.
What was Aretha Franklin's first song?
Her first single on Billboard ’s pop music Top 40 chart was a 1920s standard, “Rock-a-bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody.”. 1980: Aretha Franklin with actor John Belushi and actor and screenwriter Dan Aykroyd on the set of the musical comedy film The Blues Brothers, directed by John Landis.
When did Aretha Franklin record her last album?
In 2003, after 20 years with Arista Records, she recorded her last album with the label, Jewels in the Crown: All-Star Duets with the Queen. 2015: U.S. Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. presents the Portrait of a Nation Prize to Aretha Franklin during the National Portrait Gallery’s inaugural American Portrait Gala.
Where was Aretha Franklin born?
Date of Death. Aretha Franklin was born in Memphis Tennessee, but at an early age, her family moved, first to Buffalo, New York, and finally to Detroit, Michigan, where she spent her formative years. Although Aretha Franklin spent much of her adult life in New York and Los Angeles, she would always regard Detroit as her hometown and returned to ...
When did Aretha Franklin play at Fillmore West?
She was the first soul artist to play at the San Francisco rock venue Fillmore West, a performance documented on the album Aretha Live at Fillmore West, in 1971 .
Where did Pope Francis go in 2015?
In 2015, Pope Francis visited North America for the World Meeting of Families. At the conclusion of his tour, Pope Francis departed for Philadelphia, where the Supreme Pontiff was serenaded by the Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin at the Festival of Families, an event celebrating U.S. music and culture.
Who created the Aretha Franklin poster?
In the background, the color photolithographic poster of Aretha Franklin — hanging in the National Portrait Gallery — created by the celebrated graphic designer Milton Glaser in 1968; Aretha Franklin performs her greatest hits during the American Portrait Gala in Washington, D.C.
Who was the Queen of Soul in 2012?
2012: Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin is joined onstage by Awards Council member General Colin Powell during her inspiring musical performance to close the evening of the 50th annual Banquet of the Golden Plate ceremonies.
When did Aretha Franklin sing?
In 2001, she wowed audiences across the globe with her performance in VH1’s Divas Live: The One and Only Aretha Franklin, and in 2009, she sang “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” at President Barack Obama ’s inauguration. Franklin was the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (1987).
Who is the Queen of Soul?
Please try again later. In her five decades as a recording artist, Aretha Franklin, the undisputed “Queen of Soul ,” became a music legend. Aretha Louise Franklin was born in Memphis, Tennessee on March 25, 1942. Her family soon relocated to Detroit, Michigan, where her father, Reverend C.L. Franklin, became a minister at New Bethel Baptist Church.
Who was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
Franklin was the first woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame (1987). She had the largest number of Top 40 singles of any female performer (forty-five) and was also the youngest recipient of the John F. Kennedy Center Honors (1994).
How did Aretha Franklin have her first child?
Aretha Franklin gave birth to her first son when she was only 14 years old. Soon after, she had her second son. Her grandmother and sister took turns in raising the children, while she was pursuing her career. Her next son was born in 1964 and plays guitar in his mother’s band during live concerts. Her first marriage was in 1961 with Ted White. Her father was against the marriage. In 1969 the couple divorced. It is known that the marriage was contentious and involved domestic violence. Her second husband was Glynn Turman. The couple married in 1978 at her father’s church. They divorced in 1982.
How much money did Aretha Franklin make in 1964?
By 1964, Aretha Franklin had started to record more pop music. She was netting around 100,000$ from her performances. She also appeared in rock and roll shows. Although she was successful, it has been argued that her records company neglected her gospel background and did not fully understand her potential.
When Aretha Franklin's mother died, did she sing solos?
When Aretha Franklin 's mother died, she started to sing solos in church. When she was 14 years old, her father began to manage her and brought her with during his so-called “gospel caravan” tours. He was the one who helped her sign a record deal with J.V.B Records in 1956. While she was touring with her father, Franklin met Sam Cooke who she had a crush on.
What is Aretha Franklin famous for?
Iconic singer Aretha Franklin will forever be remembered for hit songs such as "Respect," "Think" and " (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," as well as her activism and role in the civil rights movement. However, there are facets of her life and career that aren't as recognized.
What song did Aretha Franklin sing at the 1964 concert?
Its standout performances included Franklin joining with her fellow divas to sing the perennially popular " (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman. ". Aretha Franklin in 1964.
What happened to the Franklin hat?
At the time the hat inspired memes and became a viral sensation. Since then it's cemented its place in history. After the inauguration, Franklin 's hat was loaned to the Smithsonian (though it wasn't added to the museum's permanent collection). A replica was added to a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame traveling exhibit.
What was the Respect singer's life like?
The "Respect" singer's life featured both challenges and accomplishments, including a life-changing fear and a performance alongside a former Cabinet member. The "Respect" singer's life featured both challenges and accomplishments, including a life-changing fear and a performance alongside a former Cabinet member.
When did Franklin's voice become a natural resource?
In 1985, the Department of Natural Resources of the state of Michigan officially declared Franklin's voice a "natural resource of the state.".
Who rehearsed without Franklin?
So she did what any self-respecting diva would do — she left. The remaining divas — Shania Twain, Gloria Estefan, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey and Carole King — rehearsed without Franklin.
Did Franklin attend Whitney Houston's funeral?
In 2012, swollen feet left Franklin unable to attend Whitney Houston 's funeral. At the service, Dionne Warwick, Houston's cousin, mentioned Franklin before realizing she wasn't present. Warwick then said of Franklin, "She loves Whitney as if she were born to her. She is her godmother.".
Children
Albums and Songs
- 'Aretha'
After a brief hiatus, Franklin returned to performing and followed heroes such as Cooke and Dinah Washington into pop and blues territory. In 1960, with her father's blessing, Franklin traveled to New York, where after being courted by several labels, including Motown and RCA, she signed wi… - "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)"
Backed by the legendary Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, Franklin recorded the single "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)." In the midst of the recording sessions, White quarreled with a member of the band, and White and Franklin left abruptly. But as the single became a massive T…
Career Struggles
- But by 1975, Franklin's sound was fading into the background with the onset of the disco craze, and an emerging set of young Black singers, such as Chaka Khan and Donna Summer, began to eclipse Franklin's career. She did, however, find a brief respite from slumping sales with the 1976 soundtrack to the Warner Brothers film Sparkle — which topped the R&B charts and made the To…
More Albums and Songs: 1980s and on
- 'Who's Zoomin' Who?'
In 1985 Franklin returned to the top of the charts with a smash-hit album: the polished pop record Who's Zoomin' Who?Featuring the single "Freeway of Love," as well as a collaboration with the popular rock band The Eurythmics, the record became Franklin's biggest-selling album yet. - 'I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)'
Her follow-up, 1986's Aretha, also charted well and eventually went gold, and her duet with British singer George Michael, "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me),'' hit No. 1 on the pop charts. In 1987 Franklin became the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and w…
Death
- On August 12, 2018, it was reported that a "gravely ill" Franklin was bedridden in her Detroit home, surrounded by family and friends. As news of her condition spread, more luminaries paid a visit to express their well wishes, including Wonder and Jesse Jackson. Four days later, on the morning of August 16, Franklin succumbed to her illness, which her family revealed to be pancreatic canc…
Movie
- In January 2018, it was announced that Franklin hand-picked singer and actress Jennifer Hudson to play her in an upcoming biopic. After being pushed back several times, Respectwill be released on August 13, 2021.
Overview
Aretha Louise Franklin was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. Referred to as the "Queen of Soul", she has twice been placed ninth in Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". With global sales of over 75 million records, Franklin is one of the world's best-selling music artists.
As a child, Franklin was noticed for her gospel singing at New Bethel Baptist Ch…
Early life
Aretha Louise Franklin was born on March 25, 1942, to Barbara (née Siggers) and Clarence LaVaughn "C. L." Franklin. She was delivered at her family's home located at 406 Lucy Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee. Her father was a Baptist minister and circuit preacher originally from Shelby, Mississippi, while her mother was an accomplished piano player and vocalist. Both Mr. and Mrs. Franklin ha…
Musical career
Just after her mother's death, Franklin began singing solos at New Bethel, debuting with the hymn "Jesus, Be a Fence Around Me". When Franklin was 12, her father began managing her; he would take her on the road with him, during his "gospel caravan" tours for her to perform in various churches. He also helped her sign her first recording deal with J.V.B. Records. Recording equipment wa…
Music style and image
According to Richie Unterberger, Franklin was "one of the giants of soul music, and indeed of American pop as a whole. More than any other performer, she epitomized soul at its most gospel-charged". She had often been described as a great singer and musician due to "vocal flexibility, interpretive intelligence, skillful piano-playing, her ear, her experience". Franklin's voice was described a…
Activism
From her time growing up in the home of a prominent African-American preacher to the end of her life, Franklin was immersed and involved in the struggle for civil rights and women's rights. She provided money for civil rights groups, at times covering payroll, and performed at benefits and protests. When Angela Davis was jailed in 1970, Franklin told Jet: "Angela Davis must go free ... Black people will be free. I've been locked up (for disturbing the peace in Detroit) and I know you …
Personal life
After being raised in Detroit, Franklin relocated in the 1960s to New York City, where she lived until moving to Los Angeles in the mid-1970s. She eventually settled in Encino, Los Angeles, where she lived until 1982. She then returned to the Detroit suburb of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, to be close to her siblings and ailing father. Franklin maintained a residence there until her death. Following a…
Legacy and honors
Franklin received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1979, had her voice declared a Michigan "natural resource" in 1985, and became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences awarded her a Grammy Legend Award in 1991, then the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994. Franklin was a Kennedy Cen…
Discography
Studio albums
• Aretha: With The Ray Bryant Combo (1961)
• The Electrifying Aretha Franklin (1962)
• The Tender, the Moving, the Swinging Aretha Franklin (1962)