RIP “Queen Of Soul…”

A sad day today: Aretha Franklin, the greatest soul singer of all time, has died at the age of 76. Fans knew this was imminent, as reports filtered out over the past week that she was gravely ill…here is a look at her life and incredible achievement.

Aretha Louise Franklin was born March 25, 1942 and began began her career as a child singing gospel at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, where her father, C. L. Franklin, was minister.

At the age of 25, Franklin broke through – thanks to her powerful voice – with the smash hits “Respect”, “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”, “Spanish Harlem” and “Think”. By the end of the 1960s she had gained the title “The Queen of Soul”.

The Youtube channel “John1948OneB” published this incredible clip of Aretha singing “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” on a TV show:

Thanks to “John1948OneB” for sharing that!

In case you didn’t know, that song was written by the legendary Singer/Songwriter Carole King along with Gerry Goffin and Jerry Wexler.

She Makes The Blues Brothers “Think!”

Franklin’s performance of her signature hit “Think” was a highlight of the 1980 musical comedy “The Blues Brothers.” Take a look:

As wikipedia notes:

Franklin eventually recorded a total of 112 charted singles on Billboard, including 77 Hot 100 entries, 17 top ten pop singles, 100 R&B entries and twenty number-one R&B singles, becoming the most charted female artist in the chart’s history.

** FILE ** Aretha Franklin the “Queen of Soul,” performs during t “VH1 Divas 2001: The One and Only Aretha Franklin” tribute in April 10, 2001 file photo in New York. (AP Photo/Suzanne Plunkett, File)

Among her many other awards, Franklin won 18 Grammy Awards and is one of the best-selling musical artists of all time – more than 75 million records worldwide.

Here is Franklin doing a live performance of her other classic song “Respect”:

Franklin was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, becaming the first female performer to ever be inducted!

An incredible career…RIP Aretha Franklin…

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