On This Day

Aretha Franklin

Soul Singer Aretha Franklin

Profession: Soul Singer

Nationality:
United States of America
American

Why Famous: Starting out as a gospel singer this "Queen of Soul's" six-decade-long career has made Franklin one of the most influential and important voices in pop history.

Some of her best-known works include "Respect", "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)", and “A Rose Is Still A Rose.

As the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, Franklin currently holds 18 Grammy Awards and was ranked 1st on the Rolling Stone's list of “The Greatest Singers Of All Time” (2012).

Born: March 25, 1942
Birthplace: Memphis, Tennessee, USA

Generation: Silent Generation
Chinese Zodiac: Horse
Star Sign: Aries

Died: August 16, 2018 (aged 76)
Cause of Death: Advanced pancreatic cancer

Historical Events

  • 1960-08-01 Aretha Franklins 1st recording session
  • 1967-02-14 "Respect" single recorded by Aretha Franklin (Billboard Song of the Year 1967)
  • 1967-04-29 "Respect" single released by Aretha Franklin (Billboard Song of the Year 1967)
  • 1967-06-03 Aretha Franklin's "Respect" reaches #1
  • 1968-01-22 "Lady Soul" 14th studio album by Aretha Franklin is released (Billboard Album of the Year, 1968)
  • 1969-06-22 Aretha Franklin arrested in Detroit for creating a disturbance
  • 1969-07-22 Aretha Franklin arrested for disturbing the peace in Detroit
  • 1972-01-31 Aretha Franklin sings at Mahalia Jackson's funeral
  • 1974-09-28 "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing" by Aretha Franklin peaks at #47
  • 1987-01-03 Aretha Franklin is the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
  • 2018-08-28 Aretha Franklin lies in state at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History in Detroit in a 24 carat coffin
  • 2018-09-01 Aretha Franklin's funeral held in Detroit attended by Stevie Wonder, Ariana Grande and Bill Clinton with procession of 140 pink Cadillacs
  • 2018-09-01 Bishop Charles H. Ellis III apologises for groping Ariana Grande during Aretha Franklin's funeral service
  • 2019-04-15 Aretha Franklin posthumously receives the Pulitzer Prize Special Citation honor, first individual woman to win it since 1930

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