The. New York: Little Brown & Company. Franklins mother, Barbara, was a gospel singer and pianist. She said, 'L.C., I need you to do me a favor. In the same vein, his second wife, Aretha welcomed a second child, Glynn Turman Jr. in 1965. Her sister Carolyn died in April 1988 from breast cancer and her eldest sister Erma died from throat cancer in September 2002. I knew Ted White, as did most entertainers in Detroit, Aretha's sister, the late singer Erma Franklin, said in the book. ", "Aretha Franklin inducted into Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the National Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in 2015", "National Women's Hall of Fame Virtual Induction Series Inaugural Event December 10, 2020", "Sister Ree's Scrapbook, An Aretha Franklin Photo Gallery 13", "Aretha Franklin Biography and Interview", "Inez Andrews, Gospel Singer, Dies at 83", "Aretha Franklin: Lifelong commitment to Detroit", "Pickwick Group Ltd Aretha Franklin Songs Of Faith", "Obituary: Aretha Franklin, 16 August 2018", "Aretha Franklin: Remembering Her Many Ties To Chicago; She Became 'Queen Of Soul' Here", "Quincy Jones on Aretha Franklin: 'You Will Reign as the Queen Forever', "Aretha Franklin, Queen of Soul, Dead at 76", "Aretha Franklin Was the Defining Voice of the 20th Century", "Show 52 The Soul Reformation: Phase three, soul music at the summit. Aretha Franklin's love life included a whirlwind of emotions. In an interview with Oprah Daily, Erivo spoke about channeling Franklins ability to weather adversity in her performance. [210] The Aretha Franklin Post Office Building was named in 2021, and is located at 12711 East Jefferson Avenue in Detroit, Michigan. She was delivered at her family's home located at 406 Lucy Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee. Although the fan tributes were later taken down, the subway system's operator, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, placed permanent black-and-white stickers with the word "Respect" next to the "Franklin" name signs in each station. A gifted singer and pianist, Aretha Franklin toured with her father's traveling revival show and later visited New York, where she signed with Columbia. [9], Aretha Louise Franklin was born on March 25, 1942, to Barbara (ne Siggers) and Clarence LaVaughn "C. L." Franklin. The Young and the Restless ' Eric Braeden (Victor) was able to relive a very special moment when a photo popped up on his social media memories. She apparently wanted to pivot from gospel to pop, and White was connected to the world of the former. Franklin separated from White in 1968 and after she was married to actor Glynn Turman in 1978. In 1987 Franklin became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Franklin rarely talked about her family and personal life, and for decades, Clarence Franklin's father has been . He had a tiger on his hands when that girl got drunk.. [125] Franklin did not like to discuss her early pregnancies with interviewers. But, as her Detroit friends on the Motown label enjoyed hit after hit, Franklin struggled to achieve crossover success. The song's B-side, "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man", reached the R&B top 40, peaking at number 37. [74] On November 7, 1979, she guested The Mike Douglas Show with her yellow costume from her La Diva album, and sang "Ladies Only", "What If I Should Ever Need You" and "Yesterday" by the Beatles. Following Franklin's divorce from Ted White, her brother Cecil became her manager and maintained that position until his death from lung cancer on December 26, 1989. Glynn Turman Jr. was murdered in 1986 by Henry Eugene . Ted wasnt really talking to me and I was happy not to talk to him. [39][40], After turning 18, Franklin confided to her father that she aspired to follow Sam Cooke in recording pop music, and moved to New York. [17] Several women, including Aretha's grandmother, Rachel, and Mahalia Jackson, took turns helping with the children at the Franklin home. Aretha Franklin was engaged to Willie Wilkerson (2012). She first became pregnant at the age of 12 and gave birth to her first child, named Clarence after her father,[123] on January 28, 1955. [177] Civil rights activist and minister Al Sharpton called her a "civil rights and humanitarian icon". 7 She Always Carried Her Purse. "Respect" was Otis Redding's song but Aretha modified it with a "supercharged interlude featuring the emphatic spelling-out of the song's title". [209] In 2018, Franklin was inducted in to the Memphis Music Hall of Fame. He came along at just the right time. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. American singer, songwriter, musician, and producer. At the age of 18, she was signed as a recording artist for Columbia Records. During that time, Franklin immersed herself in getting her career back on the ascent, and Respect frames Turman as having a difficult time feeling like the less notable member of a celebrity couple. [104] On June 8, 2017, the City of Detroit honored Franklin's legacy by renaming a portion of Madison Street, between Brush and Witherell Streets, Aretha Franklin Way. Read more opinions on theGrio. While Franklin was still a teen when she met White, she was also a mother of two, having given birth to her first son Clarence when she was 12 and Edward when she was 14. Her father, C.L. While her album sales in the 1990s and 2000s failed to approach the numbers of previous decades, Franklin remained the Queen of Soul. "She was a very large part of his life," she said. Aretha Louise Franklin was the daughter of Rev. The next seven years' achievements were less impressive. Franklins cousin and backup singer Brenda Franklin-Corbett told Ritz that Cunningham had a much better impact on Franklins life than White did. Clarence Franklin was born in 1955, when Aretha Franklin was just 12 years old. [127] Franklin would visit them often. He added having to spend time together was very moving. Barbara Siggers was born in Shelby, Mississippi in 1917 (per The Sun).According to Smooth Radio, she married pastor C.L. [112], According to Richie Unterberger, Franklin was "one of the giants of soul music, and indeed of American pop as a whole. By marrying Turman, Franklin became stepmother of Turman's three children. In 2008, Franklin issued the holiday album This Christmas, Aretha on DMI Records. But that supportive nature did not carry over when Franklin and White grew closer. A Grammy Celebration for the Queen of Soul', "Jennifer Hudson to play Aretha Franklin in Biopic: 'U Have No Idea How Humbled I Am', "Jennifer Hudson Shines as Aretha Franklin in 'Respect' Trailer (Watch)", "Respect trailer released Aretha Franklin Biopic in UK cinemas 22 Jan 2021", "National Geographic Taps Suzan-Lori Parks as Executive Producer and Showrunner for 'Genius: Aretha Franklin', "Queen of Soul's Father Rev. [35], Franklin and her father traveled to California, where she met singer Sam Cooke. confers 3,243 degrees at 309th Commencement", "Aretha Franklin talks new album, says health is 'fine', "Sings the Great Diva Classics Aretha Franklin", "Aretha Franklin Notches Milestone 100th Hit on Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart", "Aretha Franklin Just Brought the Leader of the Free World to Tears", "Aretha Franklin stuns at Kennedy Center Honors", "Obama cries as Aretha Franklin proves why she's the queen of soul", "Watch Aretha Franklin Bring Obama to Tears at Kennedy Center Honors", "Aretha Franklin Dropping Her Fur Coat at 'Kennedy Center Honors' is Ultimate Life Goals! A 1968 Time cover story on Franklin titled "The Sound of Soul" delves into the trauma she experienced, reportedly at the hands of Ted White. [43][57] The song was released the following month and reached number one on the R&B chart, while also peaking at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Franklin her first top-ten pop single. After 1988, "Franklin never again had huge hits", according to Rolling Stone. Among the visitors were gospel musicians Clara Ward, James Cleveland, and early Caravans members Albertina Walker and Inez Andrews. She signed with Columbia Records in New York and released her first single, Today I Sing the Blues, in 1960. [193] The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences awarded her a Grammy Legend Award in 1991, then the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994. Franklin in 1936, and the couple went on to have four children: Erma (born in 1938), Cecil (born in 1940), Aretha (born in 1942), and Carolyn (born in 1944).Barbara also had a child from a previous relationship, Vaughn, who was born in 1934 and adopted by C.L. [19] She also attended public school in Detroit, going through her freshman year at Northern High School, but dropping out during her sophomore year. [33] As a young gospel singer, Franklin spent summers on the gospel circuit in Chicago and stayed with Mavis Staples' family. [54][55] Wexler decided that he wanted to take advantage of her gospel background; his philosophy in general was to encourage a "tenacious form of rhythm & blues that became increasingly identified as soul". Take a look back at Aretha Franklin's life, as she tells it through a . "Nobody embodies more fully the connection between the African-American spiritual, the blues, R&B, rock and rollthe way that hardship and sorrow were transformed into something full of beauty and vitality and hope. [24] She was inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame in 2005,[197] and the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame in 2015. Franklin was married twice. Deacon Willie Todd declared, Reverend Franklin couldnt stand Ted, according to Vanity Fair. With global sales of over 75 million records, Franklin is one of the world's best-selling music artists.[3]. [65] She appeared on the cover of Time magazine in June.[66]. [164] Franklin later returned to live performing, including a 2013 Christmas concert at Detroit's MotorCity Casino Hotel. Aretha Franklin's first marriage was to Ted White. As a young teen, Franklin performed with her father on his gospel programs in major cities throughout the country and was recognized as a vocal prodigy. In 1960 she moved to New York City to pursue a career in secular music. [212][213] After working with the artist for nearly four decades, Clive Davis, said that Aretha "understood the essence of both language and melody and was able to take it to a place very fewif anycould". Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Over 75 million copies of her albums have been sold. [163] During a phone interview with the Associated Press in late August 2013, Franklin stated that she had had a "miraculous" recovery from her undisclosed illness but had to cancel shows and appearances until her health was at 100%, estimating she was about "85% healed". The legendary singer is back in the spotlight thanks to Suzan-Lori Parkss Genius: Aretha, a new National Geographic series starring Cynthia Erivo as the singer. They called each other sweetie. THE Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin, who was one of the most successful American singers of all time, died in August 2018 aged 76 from pancreatic cancer. [116], In 2015, President Barack Obama wrote the following regarding Franklin:.mw-parser-output .templatequote{overflow:hidden;margin:1em 0;padding:0 40px}.mw-parser-output .templatequote .templatequotecite{line-height:1.5em;text-align:left;padding-left:1.6em;margin-top:0}, Nobody embodies more fully the connection between the African-American spiritual, the blues, R. & B., rock and rollthe way that hardship and sorrow were transformed into something full of beauty and vitality and hope. Franklin's lawyers contacted Florida authorities and uncovered a coercive scheme in which the singer, Vickie Jones, had been threatened with violence and constrained into impersonating her idol, whom she resembled closely both in voice and looks. Franklin won 18 Grammy Awards (out of 44 nominations),[4][5] including the first eight awards given for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance (19681975), a Grammy Awards Living Legend honor and Lifetime Achievement Award. I didn't need to introduce him to Aretha. More than any other performer, she epitomized soul at its most gospel-charged". A brutal Detroit street criminal and . When soul icon Aretha Franklin died in 2018, she left behind not only a mammoth catalog of hits, but four children. Aretha was married to Ted White in 1961, when the singer was 19. READ MORE: Aretha Franklin: The Powerful Meaning Behind Her Equality Anthem "Respect". Aretha Franklin's funeral fit for a queen 03:59 CNN Aretha Franklin, whose gospel-rooted singing and bluesy yet expansive delivery earned her the title " the Queen of Soul ," has died,. In 2014, Franklin was signed under RCA Records, controller of the Arista catalog and a sister label to Columbia via Sony Music Entertainment, and worked with Clive Davis. The "all-star" group performed gospel songs, including renditions from Franklin's 1972 album, Amazing Grace. [29] He also helped her sign her first recording deal with J.V.B. Her sister Erma knew him and she also told me he considered me among the most beautiful women in the world, Franklin wrote in her memoir From These Roots. [105] Franklin released the album A Brand New Me in November 2017 with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, which uses archived recordings from Franklin. Was she ever married? Theodore Richard White (March 25, 1931 - October 26, 2020) was an American businessman, songwriter, music manager and producer from Detroit, Michigan. [47] Also during that period, she appeared on rock-and-roll shows, such as Hollywood a Go-Go and Shindig! What are some of Aretha Franklins most famous songs? [178], A memorial service was held at New Bethel Baptist Church on August 19. Read more opinions on theGrio. Here's What That Means", "Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Cancer vs. Pancreatic Cancer", "Aretha Franklin: Tributes flow in for Queen of Soul", "Aretha Franklin: The sound of the civil rights movement", "Aretha Franklin: Date set for Detroit funeral", "Aretha Franklin: thousands pay respects to 'Queen of Soul' in Detroit", "Aretha Franklin's Funeral Live Streams: Watch", "Shirley Caesar at Aretha Franklin's funeral", "Aretha Franklin's funeral: Ariana Grande, Bill Clinton, Chaka Khan, Jennifer Hudson, Stevie Wonder pay tribute", "Aretha Franklin's funeral: Gladys Knight, Stevie Wonder offer stirring final tributes", "Reverend accused of bigotry, misogyny after fiery eulogy for Aretha Franklin", "Aretha Franklin funeral: pastor offends family after he didn't 'properly eulogize her'", "Aretha's tomb is open to the public and fans are paying their respects", "Aretha Franklin interred at Detroit cemetery", "Golden Plate Awardees of the American Academy of Achievement", "Photo: 2012: Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin is joined onstage by Awards Council member General Colin Powell during her memorable musical performance to close the evening of the 50th annual Banquet of the Golden Plate ceremonies", "Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Aretha Franklin", "Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame 2015 Induction Ceremony Was A Big Hit", "Announcement of the 2019 Pulitzer Prize Winners", "Aretha Franklin makes history with posthumous Pulitzer win", "Stars To Join For Aretha Franklin Tribute", "The Billboard Hot 100 All-Time Top Artists (20-01)", "Soul singer Aretha Franklin 'seriously ill' and 'surrounded by family' says close source", "Aretha Franklin remembered by Sarasota's Jerry Wexler, her legendary producer", "The 35 Greatest R&B Artists Of All Time", "How a TV crew meticulously re-created Aretha Franklin's extraordinary life", "New York University Holds 182nd Commencement at Yankee Stadium", "Yale's 309th Commencement: Pomp, ceremony and r-e-s-p-e-c-t", "Aretha Franklin Unable to Attend 241st Commencement Sunday", "Commencement 2007: Commencement Speaker and Honorary Degree Recipients", "Aretha Franklin's 5 Most Impressive Career Achievements", "Aretha Franklin to receive honorary degree Nov. 5", "Aretha Franklin Receives Honorary Degree From Harvard University", "NYC Subway Stations Pay Tribute to Aretha Franklin With 'Respect' Signs", "New Yorkers pay tribute to Aretha Franklin on MTA subway stations", "2018 AMAs Aretha Franklin Tribute Brings Out Gladys Knight, Ledisi, Mary Mary and More", "Gladys Knight performs moving tribute to Aretha Franklin at the AMAs Independent.ie", "All-Star Lineup To Pay Tribute At 'Aretha! 2016. The problem has been resolved". "[104] Franklin later recalled the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors as one of the best nights of her life. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. Aretha Franklin was in the music business for nearly 60 years. His name is a combination of his parents initials (Ken E. Cunningham and Aretha L. Franklin). [134] After a contentious marriage that was marred by domestic abuse, Franklin separated from White in 1968 and divorced him in 1969. [224][225], During the American Music Awards on October 9, 2018, the show was closed by bringing Gladys Knight, Donnie McClurkin, Ledisi, Cece Winans, and Mary Mary together to pay tribute to Aretha Franklin. [144] Franklin had to cancel plans to perform at Whitney Houston's memorial service on February 18, 2012, due to a leg spasm. [31] In 1965, Checker Records released Songs of Faith, featuring the five tracks from the 1956 Spirituals album, with the addition of four previously unreleased recordings. The marriage between Mrs. Franklin and White ended up in a nasty divorce after a domestic violence dispute they decided . Franklin's follow-up albums for Atlantic, including Sweet Passion (1977), Almighty Fire (1978) and La Diva (1979), bombed on the charts,[citation needed] and in 1979 Franklin left the company. Ken was also serious-minded about art and books and he loved all kinds of music. Without targeting any particular genre, she sang everything from Broadway ballads to youth-oriented rhythm and blues. [18][28] When Franklin was 12, her father began managing her; he would take her on the road with him, during his "gospel caravan" tours for her to perform in various churches. [11] Both Mr. and Mrs. Franklin had children from prior relationships in addition to the four children they had together. Despite their short marriage, the former couple remained close friends throughout the years. "[40], Also in 1980, Franklin gave a command performance at London's Royal Albert Hall in front of Queen Elizabeth. In addition to being an actor, Turman worked as a producer, writer, and director throughout his career. [61] On February 16, Franklin was honored with a day named for her and was greeted by longtime friend Martin Luther King Jr., who gave her the SCLC Drum Beat Award for Musicians two months before his death. They were together for eight years until 1969. [2] Referred to as the "Queen of Soul", she has twice been placed ninth in Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". "Respect" became her signature song and was later hailed as a civil rights and feminist anthem. [12] By the time Aretha turned five, C. L. Franklin had permanently relocated the family to Detroit, where he took over the pastorship of the New Bethel Baptist Church. They had a special relationship.". They were engaged in March of 1978. The last time she sang the aria live was for Pope Francis at the World Meeting of Families in Philadelphia in September 2015. [88], That same year, Franklin received global praise after her 1998 Grammy Awards performance. After splitting with White, Franklin met Ken Cunningham in 1969. "They loved each other. In March 1969, Franklin was unanimously voted winner of Acadmie du Jazz's R&B award, Prix Otis Redding, for her albums Lady Soul, Aretha Now, and Aretha in Paris. C. L. (Clarence La Vaughn), a minister and gospel singer, and gospel singer Barbara (Siggers) Franklin. At age 19, Aretha Franklin married Ted White, a man with a highly . Notably, all three of Turman's children have pursued his footsteps. Aretha Franklin remarried. (Richard DuCree / National Geographic) Unlike most show business biographies, in which an artist . Her first husband was Ted White, whom she married in 1961 at the age of 18. [81] The next year's Aretha album nearly matched this success with the hit singles "Jumpin' Jack Flash", "Jimmy Lee" and "I Knew You Were Waiting for Me", her international number-one duet with George Michael. Franklin didnt handle things perfectly either. "American history wells up when Aretha sings", President Obama explained in response to her performance of "A Natural Woman" at the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors. Franklin's movie about her life, titled Respect starring Jennifer Hudson, hits theaters on August 13, 2021. [200], In 2010 Franklin was ranked first on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the "100 Greatest Singers of All Time"[7] and ninth on their list of "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". [201] Following news of Franklin's surgery and recovery in February 2011, the Grammys ceremony paid tribute to the singer with a medley of her classics performed by Christina Aguilera, Florence Welch, Jennifer Hudson, Martina McBride, and Yolanda Adams. [13], The Franklins had a troubled marriage due to Mr. Franklin's infidelities, and they separated in 1948. .css-47aoac{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#A00000;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-47aoac:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}Aretha Franklins decades-long career dominance was rooted in songs that unleashed the power women so often had to hide. Her life story is explored in the new series, Genius: Aretha. [51][34] Spann ceremonially placed a crown on her head. Later . Jail is hell to be in. Not long after releasing her first album in 1961, Franklin met White at a Detroit Club called 20 Grand. All Rights Reserved. "Respect" was a huge hit for Franklin, and became a signature song for her. A lot of trouble. In Respect, the struggles of Franklins romantic life are portrayed by some around her as being connected to her tremendous artistic gifts, most notably by her brother, Rev. She was the mother of four, and her first son was born in 1955 when she was 12. Martin Luther King Jr., Jackie Wilson and Sam Cooke all became friends of C. L. Franklin, as well. Franklin's movie about her life, titled. [106] It peaked at number five on the Billboard Top Classical Albums chart before her death and rose to number two after her death. In 1989, Franklin filmed a music video for a remake of "Think". Franklin, played by Courtney B. Vance, in "Genius: Aretha.". He helped Aretha get it together. [135] She married actor Glynn Turman, on April 11, 1978, at her father's church. However, just a few weeks later, the engagement ended. Get Rebel Wilson Married The prodigal Disney CEO is whipping the company into shape by facilitating celebrity Rebel Wilson 's . https://www.britannica.com/biography/Aretha-Franklin, Aretha Franklin - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Aretha Franklin - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up), Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum (1987). There were plans for her to record an album produced by Danger Mouse, who was replaced with Babyface and Don Was when Danger Mouse left the project. Also How many times did Aretha Franklin marry? Franklin was featured on vocals and piano. At the age of 19, the future Queen of Soul wed her managerand the seven-year marriage was filled with dark moments. [138] After six months at Henry Ford Hospital while still in a coma, C. L. was moved back to his home with 24-hour nursing care. He shares a daughter Stephanie Turman with her first wife, Ula M. Walker. was bitterly opposed to the whole deal, wrote music journalist Mikal Gilmore in a sprawling 2018 obituary for Rolling Stone. Amazing Grace (1972), a live recording of her performance with a choir at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles, is considered one of the great gospel albums of any era. [34] The Queen: Aretha Franklin She was a traumatized child, a teenage mother, a gospel prodigy and a civil-rights champion. That's why, when she sits down at a piano and sings 'A Natural Woman,' she can move me to tearsthe same way that Ray Charles's version of 'America the Beautiful' will always be in my view the most patriotic piece of music ever performedbecause it captures the fullness of the American experience, the view from the bottom as well as the top, the good and the bad, and the possibility of synthesis, reconciliation, transcendence. It ended years later, and many sources affirm that it was due to domestic abuse. [50], In the 1960s, during a performance at the Regal Theater in Chicago, WVON radio personality Pervis Spann announced that Franklin should be crowned "the Queen of Soul". There were also headlining-grabbing incidents during the period, including when Franklin received a reckless driving charge in Detroit for running two cars off a road in 1968, as well as when she was charged with disorderly conduct for allegedly trying to hit two police officers after a traffic infringement in Michigan. She married C.L. [180] The August 31 Homegoing Service held at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit, included multiple tributes by celebrities, politicians, friends and family members and was streamed by some news agencies[181] such as Fox News, CNN, The Word Network, BET and MSNBC. Aretha needed a man who could point her in a positive direction.. She was the 2008 MusiCares Person of the Year, performing at the Grammys days later. The Queen of Soul died of pancreatic . [citation needed], Working with Wexler and Atlantic, Franklin had become "the most successful singer in the nation" by 1968. [82] In 1987, she issued her third gospel album, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, which was recorded at her late father's New Bethel church, followed by Through the Storm in 1989. The couple met backstage at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion during a Ben Vereen show. Aretha Franklin was married twice in her lifetime. Tragedy struck when Aretha's father was shot in 1979 and in a coma until his passing in 1984. R.I.P. after they . White, for his part, didnt exactly have a clean record, most notably with police looking for him after he allegedly shot an associate in the groin at Franklins home. March 28, 1970) with 3rd ex-boyfriend, Ken Cunningham. January 30, 1963) with ex-husband, Ted White & Kecalf Cunningham (b. [98], In December 2015, Franklin gave an acclaimed performance of "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" at the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors during the section for honoree Carole King, who co-wrote the song.
March 11, 2023