Aretha Franklin

Aretha Louise Franklin (March 25, 1942 – August 16, 2018) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Known as the 'Queen of Soul,' she was recognized as one of the greatest singers of all time by Rolling Stone. With over 75 million records sold worldwide, Franklin was one of the best-selling music artists. As a child, she gained attention for her gospel singing at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, where her father was a minister. Franklin signed with Columbia Records at 18 but found success after joining Atlantic Records in 1966. Her hits like 'Respect,' 'Chain of Fools,' and 'I Say a Little Prayer' made her a music icon. She continued to release acclaimed albums throughout her career.