The Queen Of Soul, Aretha Franklin Has Passed Away
The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, has passed away at the age of 76, surrounded by her most cherished friends and family, in her home this morning.
By nowproducerdave on August 16, 2018
During the early hours of the morning, Aretha Franklin has passed away. She was just 76 years old, and suffered from pancreatic cancer.
Born in Memphis in 1942, Aretha moved to Detroit with her family. She began her singing career very early, starting singing at her father’s church. In addition to being a very gifted piano player, she quickly found her voice, recording small albums in her early teen years. In 1960, she was signed in her first big, official record deal. Her first album on that label came out in 1961, and her career exploded from there.
She made the charts early with her first album, but it wasn’t until 1967 when she was making a massive splash. That year, she won two Grammys for the little song called “Respect.” Also off that album “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You),” she had another bunch of songs go top-10. “Baby I Love You,” “Think,” “Chain of Fools,” “I Say a Little Prayer,” “Since You’ve Been Gone” and the classic “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.”
In the early ’70s, she won an additional 8 Grammys, cementing her “Queen of Soul” title. Her powerful voice was working with top producers in the music industry. Her reach and power seemed unstoppable. However as the ’70s progressed, a new genre of music was taking over. It wasn’t until the early 80s when a new generation of music lovers discovered her sound. As the 80s went on, she released another album, and received another Grammy nomination. That album also went gold, and she had another #1 song on the pop charts. She was also inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, becoming the first female to do so.
Aretha Franklin went on to sing at two presidential inaugurations (Clinton and Obama). She also received an honorary doctorate from the University of Detroit. Aretha was awarded a Presidential Medal of Freedom. She became the second woman ever to be inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame. Aretha also received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as a Kennedy Center Honor. She won a total of 18 Grammys, the most recent one in 2008.
Aretha Franklin was an absolute pro in the music industry, and she will be missed. No matter what music you listen to, rock, country, gospel, rap – anything, she had her hands on it. She influenced a lot of the listeners that you listen to, that we play, and will continue to do so. Her family released a statement, saying “In one of the darkest moments of our lives, we are not able to find the appropriate words to express the pain in our heart. We have lost the matriarch and rock of our family.” Aretha will be missed, but her legacy and influence will continue to live on. Rest in peace, Ms. Franklin.
