Aretha Franklin - Bio, Net Worth, Height

ORIGIN
Aretha Franklin was an American Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter. She released more than 130 singles, including “Respect,” “Think” and “Freeway of Love”. Her studio albums included I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You (1967), Young, Gifted and Black (1972), and Who’s Zoomin’ Who? (1985). Aretha Louise Franklin was born on March 25, 1942, in Memphis, Tennessee. She was 1 of 5 children. Her father, Clarence L. Franklin, was a Baptist minister, and her mother, Barbara, a musician. They separated when she was 6-year old. Franklin grew up in Detroit, Michigan. She attended Northern High School.

CAREER
Franklin began singing and playing the piano at a young age. She gained early exposure performing in her father’s gospel tours. Her first recording contract was with the label J.V.B. Records. Her debut studio album, Songs of Faith, was released in 1956. It was recorded at New Bethel Baptist Church when she was 14. In 1960, Franklin moved to New York and signed with Columbia Records. Her first song for the label was “Today I Sing the Blues.” She followed up with her second album, Aretha, in February 1961. It was led by the song “Won’t Be Long”. Her third album, The Electrifying Aretha Franklin (1962), spawned the hit single “Rock-a-Bye Your Baby With a Dixie Melody”. Other releases on the Columbia label included Runnin’ Out of Fools (1964) and Soul Sister (1966).

Franklin left Columbia for Atlantic Records in 1966. Her Atlantic debut was I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You (1967). The album’s lead single “Respect” was a cover of Otis Redding’s 1965 song. It earned her a Grammy Award for best female R&B vocal performance. The albums Lady Soul (1968) and Aretha Now (1968) were certified Gold by the RIAA. Franklin won 8 Grammy Awards between 1969 and 1975. Her 1970’s singles included “Share Your Love with Me”, “Amazing Grace” and “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing”. She recorded 10 albums for Clive Davis’ Arista Records between 1980 and 2003. Her 33rd album, Who’s Zoomin’ Who? (1985), earned Platinum certification in the US and Canada. It was led by the single “Freeway of Love” which peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100. Franklin had a supporting role as “Mrs. Murphy” in the film The Blues Brothers (1980). The film was directed by John Landis and stars John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd.

Franklin released 41 studio albums and more than 100 Billboard charted singles. She won multiple awards including 18 Grammys, 3 American Music Awards, and 3 NAACP Image Awards. She was dubbed the “Queen of Soul” for her contributions to music. Franklin was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1987), the UK Music Hall of Fame (2005), and the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame (2012). She was honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005.

PERSONAL
Aretha Franklin died on August 16, 2018, at the age of 76. Her reported cause of death was advanced pancreatic cancer. She passed away at home in Detroit surrounded by friends and family. During her last days, the singer had celebrity guests such as Stevie Wonder and Jesse Jackson to name a few. Franklin struggled with weight issues for many years. She gave up smoking in 1992. She also canceled a number of shows/concerts in the 2010s due to health reasons.

Franklin had an estimated net worth of $80 million. She sold more than 75 million records worldwide. Her height peaked at 5ft 5in and she was of African-American ancestry. Franklin was married to ‘Ted White’ (1961-69), followed by actor ‘Glynn Turman’ (1978-84). She had four sons, Ted, Kecalf, Edward, and Clarence.

Aretha Franklin Real Name, Birthday, Wiki

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