“The Queen of soul”, Aretha Franklin, legacy shall live on. The soul singer died this month on August 16, 2018 of Pancreatic cancer. People from all over the world came to her hometown, Detroit, to view Ms. Franklin's body. She left a huge mark on world through her music and community engagement. Aretha Franklin was born in Memphis, Tennessee on March 25, 1942. Her father, Clarence LaVaughn Franklin (a reverend), and her mother, Barbara Siggers Franklin (a singer), divorced when Franklin was only 6 years old. Her mother died from a heart attack four years later. Her father relocated the family, to Detroit, where he achieved national recognition as a pastor. At a very young age, it was clear that Franklin had talent! She began her young career performing for her father’s church, playing the piano and singing the gospel. Her first album Songs Of Faith was recorded live at the age of 14.
Ms. Franklin earned her first Grammy in 1967 for Best Rhythm & Blues Recording and Best Rhythm & Blues Solo Vocal Performance, Female for the Number one Billboard hit "Respect.” This boosted her career and gave her a more mainstream household name. Since then Aretha has performed all over and made music with some of the greatest musicians. According to an article published by the Grammy Awards, “She debuted as a GRAMMY performer at the 13th GRAMMYs in 1971, singing Simon & Garfunkel's "Bridge Over Troubled Water." Franklin has appeared on the GRAMMY stage eight times, putting her in a tie with Whitney Houston for second most GRAMMY performances by a female artist.”