The late, great Aretha Louise Franklin was an American singer and pianist. She began her career as a child singing gospel at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, where her father, C. L. Franklin, was minister. Franklin had one of the most iconic and recognizable voices of all time. Franklin, 76, died Thursday after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
Facts about Aretha Franklin
She became the Gospel singer at the age of ten.
She taught herself how to play piano by ear. A true music genius.
She Performed at the Inaugurations of Three Presidents
She's Childhood Friends With Smokey Robinson
She was the Godmother to Whitney Houston who called her "Auntie Ree"
First woman inducted into a Rock and Roll Hall of Fame . In 1984, Franklin was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame by Keith Richards. Richards announced her as, “The first lady to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.”
She had her first child at the age of 12 and has 4 sons.
She received over 12 Honorary Degrees.
She sang opera. At the 1998 Grammy Awards, she stepped in last minute for Luciano Pavarotti — who was unable to perform at the time — to sing one of the most famous tenor arias of all time, "Nessun Dorma."
She had a major fear of flying.
Celebrities remember Aretha Franklin
The loss of @ArethaFranklin is a blow for everybody who loves real music: Music from the heart, the soul and the Church. Her voice was unique, her piano playing underrated – she was one of my favourite pianists. pic.twitter.com/ug5oZYywAz
— Elton John (@eltonofficial) August 16, 2018
Rest in peace Aretha. ❤ pic.twitter.com/QT7HeY5SIf
— Patti LaBelle (@MsPattiPatti) August 16, 2018
The moment I wake up, before I put on my make up, I say a little prayer for you
— Chance The Rapper (@chancetherapper) August 16, 2018
In Moonlight, there’s only one song that plays twice, in two different time periods — ETERNAL ♥️ pic.twitter.com/XX2ZHHssbt
— Barry Jenkins (@BarryJenkins) August 16, 2018
What a life. What a legacy!
— Carole King (@Carole_King) August 16, 2018
So much love, respect and gratitude.
R.I.P. @ArethaFranklin https://t.co/400K1U5IHI
“Looking out on the morning rain
— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 16, 2018
I used to feel so uninspired
And when I knew
I had to face another day
Lord, it made me feel so tired
Before the day I met you
Life was so unkind
But you’re the key to
My peace of mind.”
Her voice/swagger was peerless.
Thank you, #ArethaFranklin pic.twitter.com/5gp0OP10Jf
Tibetan Model Stuns the World With Her Dazzling Beauty