13B: Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin was a singer, songwriter, pianist, and civil rights activist. She was known as “The Queen of Soul.”
Aretha was born in 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee. Her mom was a pianist and her dad was a preacher. Her father’s sermons led him to be called “the man with the million-dollar voice.” Aretha was also known for her voice. It was powerful, soulful, and filled with emotion.
Aretha’s Franklin’s childhood home.
Aretha and her family later moved to Detroit, where she sang in the church choir. As a teenager she joined the Soul Stirrers, a traveling gospel group. Here, Aretha’s somewhere in the choir. Turn up the volume on this hand-clapper. It will raise the roof!
Aretha Franklin had 17 top-ten singles. (A “single” is a song that is often played on the radio.) Aretha’s signature song was “Respect.” (Question 1 – What’s a “signature” song? Answers below.) It was written by Otis Redding. Listen to a minute of his version.
When Aretha recorded it, she made it her own. It became an anthem both for black pride and for women’s rights. Check out this voice – and those awesome back-up singers.
In 1967 she recorded an album at legendary Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. It was called I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You). It would become her masterpiece. Here’s a short interview about that recording session.
Remember learning about the TV show Soul Train? (Reminder: Stevie Wonder played on it.) Aretha Franklin was a regular guest. Here she is in 1971.
Mahalia Jackson was friends with Aretha’s father, and was her mentor. (Question 2 – What’s a “mentor”?) They both had roots in gospel music, and then became famous. When Mahalia died in 1972, Aretha sang at her funeral. A few years later, she sang a gospel album, Amazing Grace, dedicated to Mahalia.
Aretha was sometimes an actor, too. She played a waitress in the 1980 movie The Blues Brothers. Here, she belts out her classic song “Think.” It’s one of the most famous scenes in the movie. Again, check out that voice!
In 2015, with President Barack Obama in the audience, she appeared at the Kennedy Center to honor her friend Carole King. You can see why she’s considered one of the best singers ever.
Answers:
1 — A “signature” song is a song that someone is most often associated with. When a person hears the singer’s name, that song first comes to mind.
2 — A “mentor” is someone whom you look up to and admire. He or she gives you advice and shares wisdom.