Aretha Franklin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Aretha Franklin
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Franklin in 1968
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| Born |
Aretha Louise Franklin
March 25, 1942 |
| Died | August 16, 2018 (aged 76) |
| Cause of death | Pancreatic cancer |
| Occupation | |
| Spouse(s) |
Ted White
(m. 1961–1969) |
| Children | 4 |
| Musical career | |
| Origin | Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Instruments | |
| Years active | 1956–2018 |
| Labels | |
| Associated acts | |
Aretha Louise Franklin (born March 25, 1942 – died August 16, 2018) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Many people called her the "Queen of Soul" because of her powerful voice. She started singing gospel music as a child in her father's church in Detroit, Michigan.
When she was 18, Aretha began singing popular music. She first recorded with Columbia Records. Later, in 1967, she joined Atlantic Records. This is when she became very famous. She had many hit songs like "Respect", "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman", and "Think".
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Aretha Franklin was born in Memphis, Tennessee. She was one of six children in her family. When she was two, her family moved to Buffalo, New York. By age four, they settled in Detroit, Michigan.
Aretha's parents separated after the family moved to Detroit. Her father, C.L. Franklin, was a respected Baptist minister. Aretha was mostly raised by her grandmother, Rachel. A sad event happened when Aretha was ten: her mother passed away.
Aretha started singing in church at a very young age. She also learned to play the piano by listening and practicing. By her early teenage years, she was often singing solo songs in her father's church. Many famous gospel singers visited her home. These included Mahalia Jackson and Clara Ward. They helped Aretha develop her amazing singing talent.
Her Unique Music Style
Aretha Franklin was known as a fantastic singer and musician. People praised her for her flexible voice and smart way of interpreting songs. She was also a skilled piano player. Her voice was often described as a "powerful mezzo-soprano." She was famous for taking other artists' songs and making them her own.
In 2015, former President Barack Obama spoke about Aretha. He said that when Aretha sings, "American history wells up." He explained that she connected different music styles like gospel, blues, and R&B. She showed how sadness could turn into beauty, energy, and hope through music. He said her song "A Natural Woman" could even make him cry.
Amazing Achievements and Awards
Aretha Franklin received many awards during her career. She won 18 Grammy Awards and two special honorary Grammys. She had 20 songs that reached number one on the Billboard R&B Singles Chart. Two of her songs hit number one on the main Billboard Hot 100 chart: "Respect" (1967) and "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" (1987), which was a duet with George Michael.
Overall, she had 45 songs in the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100. More than any other female artist, 14 of her singles sold over one million copies. Between 1967 and 1982, she had 10 number one R&B albums.
Rolling Stone magazine named her the greatest singer of all time. In 2005, President George W. Bush gave her the Presidential Medal of Freedom. This is one of the highest awards a civilian can receive in the U.S. In 1987, Aretha became the first female artist to join the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She was also the only singer to perform at Barack Obama's presidential inauguration in 2009.
Personal Life
Aretha Franklin was a mother to four sons: Clarence, Jordan, Ted, and Kecalf.
She was married two times. Her first husband was Ted White. They married in 1961 when she was 19. Her second husband was actor Glynn Turman. They married in 1978 and divorced in 1984.
Aretha's sisters, Erma and Carolyn, were also musicians. They often sang background vocals on Aretha's songs. Her brother, Cecil, became her manager. Aretha was a Christian and a supporter of the Democratic Party.
Later Years and Passing
In August 2018, it was reported that Aretha Franklin was very ill. She was at her home in Detroit, surrounded by her friends and family. Many famous people, like Stevie Wonder, visited her. Aretha passed away at home on August 16, 2018, at the age of 76. She died from pancreatic cancer.
Her Lasting Legacy
Aretha Franklin left a huge impact on music and culture. In 1979, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 1985, her voice was even called a "natural resource" by the state of Michigan. She was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
She received a Grammy Legend Award in 1991 and a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994. She was also honored at the Kennedy Center Honors in 1994. In 1999, she received the National Medal of Arts. The Presidential Medal of Freedom was given to her in 2005.
In 2005, she became the second woman inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame. An asteroid, 249516 Aretha, was named in her honor in 2014.
President Obama said that Aretha was "the voice of the civil rights movement." He called her "the voice of black America" and a "symbol of black equality." On June 8, 2017, the city of Detroit honored her by renaming a street "Aretha Franklin Way."
A movie about Aretha Franklin's life, starring Jennifer Hudson, was announced. An all-star concert celebrating her music was planned for November 14, 2018, in New York City.
Grammy Awards
Aretha Franklin won many Grammy Awards throughout her career. Here are some of her notable wins:
- In 1968, she won for "Respect."
- She won the Best Female R&B Vocal Performance award eight years in a row, from 1968 to 1975.
- She won a Grammy for her gospel album Amazing Grace in 1973.
- In 1988, she won for her album Aretha and for her duet "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" with George Michael.
- She received special awards: the Living Legend Award in 1991 and the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994.
Discography
Aretha Franklin had many popular songs. Here are some of her top 10 hits on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart:
| Year | Title | Peak |
|---|---|---|
| 1967 | "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)" | 9 |
| 1967 | "Respect" | 1 |
| 1967 | "Baby I Love You" | 4 |
| 1967 | "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" | 8 |
| 1967 | "Chain of Fools" | 2 |
| 1968 | "Think" | 7 |
| 1971 | "Spanish Harlem" | 2 |
| 1973 | "Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)" | 3 |
| 1985 | "Freeway of Love" | 3 |
| 1987 | "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" (with George Michael) | 1 |
Images for kids
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Aretha Franklin - Do Right Woman, Do Right Man 1967
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Something He Can Feel 1976
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You Make Me Feel like a Natural Woman 1967
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Franklin in 1967
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Franklin in 1998
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Franklin performing in April 2007 at the Nokia Theater in Dallas, Texas
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Franklin performs in the East Room of the White House in 2015
See Also
In Spanish: Aretha Franklin para niños
