Aretha Louise Franklin was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. Referred to as the “Queen of Soul”, Rolling Stone twice named her as the greatest singer of all time in popular music.  As a child, Franklin was noticed for her gospel singing at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, where her father C. L. Franklin was a minister. She went on to sell over 75 million records worldwide and received 18 Grammy Awards. From her time growing up in the home of a prominent African-American preacher to the end of her life, Franklin was immersed and involved in the struggle for civil rights and women’s rights. 

Genres: R&B/Soul, Gospel and Jazz
Active from: 1954-2017
Origin: Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.A