Aretha Franklin, soul and R&B legend, died on August 16th at 9:50 am, she was 76 years old. The, "Queen of Soul," passed on surrounded by her family in her home in Detroit. The official cause of her death was pancreatic cancer. Ms Franklin had announced her retirement from touring in 2017. Her voice was distinctive and her unique style propelled her to stardom with hits such as "Respect," which was released in 1968.
Ms Franklin was born March 25th 1942 in Memphis Tennessee, to the Rev. C.L. Franklin who was a well known Baptist minister and gospel singer. Two years after her birth, Rev. Franklin moved the family to Detroit. Four years later, Ms Franklin's mother Barbara passed away. By the time that Ms. Franklin had reached her teenage years, she had become a very accomplished piano player and singer. She sang in her father's church and because of him, she got to tour on the gospel circuit.
In 1966, Ms. Franklin signed with Atlantic Records. In 1968, after the successful release of her albums, "Lady Soul," and, "Aretha Now," she was given the name, "Queen of Soul." Those albums gave the world such hits as, "Think," "Chain of Fools," Baby, I Love you," and "Since You've Been Gone. She had huge success with the releases of the Carol King song, "(You Make Me Feel Like)A Natural Woman," and her signature song, "Respect," which was written by Otis Redding.
While she had done very well with remaking the songs of others, such as Simon and Garfunkel's, "Bridge Over Troubled Waters," she was also an accomplished songwriter, writing such songs as, "Daydreaming," "Ain't No Way," and "Rock steady. She worked hard to become adept as a producer as well. Over the course of her 60 year career, she amassed a total of 18 Grammy Awards. Ms. Franklin has the honor of being the first female recording artist to be inducted into the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame.
Ms Franklin is survived by her four sons and many grand children. Her funeral is will be held on August 31st 2018, at the Greater Grace Temple in downtown Detroit, and will be limited to her family and friends. There will, however, be a public viewing on on August 28th and 28th at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History from 9 am to 9 pm.
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