Remembering The Queen of Soul: Years of Grace
Learn about Aretha Franklin's road to stardom.
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Image 1 - Aretha Louise Franklin was born March 25, 1942, in Memphis, TN. She was one of the greatest singers and songwriters of our time.(Photo Credit: Michael Ochs Archives / Stringer)
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Image 2 - Aretha Franklin got her start singing gospel music at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit.(Photo Credit: Tony Korody/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images)
Photo By Photo Credit: Tony Korody/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images
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Image 3 - Aretha Franklin's father C. L. began managing her when she was 12 years old. She would showcase her talent at various churches, and C.L. helped her sign her first recording deal with J.V.B. Records.(Photo Credit: Express Newspapers)
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Image 4 - Aretha Franklin met Sam Cooke when she traveled to California with her father in 1958. At 18 years old, Franklin told her father her dream was to record pop music. After moving to New York, she ultimately signed with Columbia Records.(Photo Credit: Express Newspapers)
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Image 5 - Aretha Franklin found acclaim and commercial success after signing with Atlantic Records in 1966. Her hit songs include "Respect," "Chain of Fools," "Think," "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)" and "I Say a Little Prayer."(Photo Credit: David Redfern)
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Image 6 - By the end of the 1960s, Aretha Franklin was known as The Queen of Soul.(Photo Credit: NBC)
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Image 7 - Aretha Franklin recorded 112 charted singles on Billboard, including 77 Hot 100 entries, 17 top-ten pop singles, 100 R&B entries and 20 number-one R&B singles, to become the most-charted female artist in history.(Photo Credit: Michael Ochs Archives)
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Image 8 - Aretha Franklin was one of the best-selling musical artists of all time, having sold more than 75 million records worldwide.(Photo Credit: Tim Boxer)
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Image 9 - Aretha Franklin received numerous honors throughout her career, including being the first female performer to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, along with being honored with the National Medal of Arts and the Presidential Medal of Freedom.(Photo Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris)
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Image 10 - On August 13, 2018, Aretha Franklin passed away at her home in Riverfront Towers, Detroit. She was under hospice care and surrounded by friends and family, including Stevie Wonder, Jesse Jackson and her ex-husband Glynn Turman.(Photo Credit: Jeff Kowalsky)