Genres: Seasonal,Jazz,Pop,Instrumental,Vocals,Soul/R&B,Soundtracks,Christian/Gospel,BluesAretha Franklin was born in the city of Memphis Tennessee and was the daughter of a Baptist minister and a musical mother who was a singer and also played the piano. Many have said that Aretha was a prodigy when it came to playing the piano and she was self taught. Her talents were noticed at a very young age and she would begin her recording career as a teenager where her father recorded his own sermons for his church. She would become a mother early in her life but this would not deter her from following her dream and she would go on to release her first hits in the late 1960's and never look back.
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Aretha Franklin
Trying to grow up is hurting, you know. You make mistakes. You try to learn from them, and when you don't, it hurts even more.
City of Memphis
Aretha Franklin was born in the city of Memphis Tennessee and was the daughter of a Baptist minister and a musical mother who was a singer and also played the piano. Many have said that Aretha was a prodigy when it came to playing the piano and she was self taught. Her talents were noticed at a very young age and she would begin her recording career as a teenager where her father recorded his own sermons for his church. She would become a mother early in her life but this would not deter her from following her dream and she would go on to release her first hits in the late 1960's and never look back.
First Success
In 1967, Aretha would release her first single under the Atlantic record label called I Never Loved A Man. The song was mostly blues but had a hint of her earlier style of gospel and would go on to reach positions in the top ten of music charts across the country. This single would lead to the release of her first full length album called I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You. The album would gain critical acclaim but it was not until the release of her break through hit single Respect, that Aretha Franklin would secure her spot in music history.
Originally written and record by Otis Redding, the song Respect would go on to be Franklin's lead hit and is played still to this day. The song would reach the number one position in cross categories on the R&B charts as well as pop charts. The song stayed on the charts at number one for over eight weeks. Shortly after, she would release the song You Make Me Feel Lie A Natural Woman that would immediately become a success as well. These songs would award Franklin with her first Grammy Awards for Best Female R&B Performance.
Continuing Success
Aretha Franklin had solidified her position with a solid fan base that would follow her to the present. She would cruise into the 1970's where she would continue to produce hits. Her gold single would come in 1974 called Until You Come Back to Me which would go to the number one position on the R&B charts. However, by mid decade, the influence of a new sound called "disco" would create a small void for Franklin's style of music and her popularity began to wane but she would not be held down for long. In the 1980's, Franklin would go on to perform in the hit movie turned classic called The Blues Brothers where she would sing her song Think.
She would return to the top of the charts with her hit single called United Together and she would produce her best selling album called Who's Zoomin' Who that contained many hits such as the song Freeway of Love. Franklin would go on to be one of the most successful women to ever record a studio album and win numerous awards for her performances on and off the stage. She has delighted her fans for over four decades with many hits charting in the top ten. Her many fans can still enjoy her music today where they may be able to find some of her songs available as free music downloads on the internet. Franklin still makes guest appearances and one may find dates of these events on her official website.
Did You Know
- Aretha Franklin was given the Presidential Award for Freedom in 2005.
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