Aretha Franklin through the years
None
Aretha Franklin, wearing the hat that became an internet sensation, performs at the swearing-in ceremony of President Barack Obama at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 20, 2009. The pride of Detroit and the Queen of Soul, her amazing voice entertained the world for decades.
Ron Edmonds, AP
None
Aretha Franklin was the first female member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. She was the winner of 18 Grammy Awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement nod, and was anointed the No. 1 top singer by Rolling Stone in its list of “100 Best Singers of All Time” in 2008.
Detroit News archives
None
Aretha Franklin released her first album, “Songs of Faith,” in 1956. She would record more than 90 more during her long career, and earn the title The Queen of Soul.
Detroit News archives
None
Aretha Franklin's pop music recording career began when she signed a record deal in 1961 with CBS/Columbia, but her career further expanded when she signed with Atlantic Records in 1967. By the end of the 1960s Franklin was at her peak as a vocalist.
Detroit News archives
None
Her hits in 1967 included “Respect,” “Natural Woman,” “I Never Loved a Man,” “Do Right Woman,” and “Baby I Love You.”
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
None
Aretha Franklin performs in 1969 with Andy Williams.
Detroit News archive
None
Franklin holds her Grammy March 15, 1972, after she took top honors for the fifth straight year. The award was for her rendition of "Bridge over Troubled Water."
United Press International
Buy Photo
None
Aretha Franklin walks down the aisle on her wedding day, April 11, 1978. She married actor Glynn Turman.
The Detroit News archives
Buy Photo
None
Aretha Franklin relaxes with a cigarette circa 1984.
The Detroit News archives
Buy Photo
None
Ron Wood of the Rolling Stones and Aretha Franklin enjoy each other's company in 1986.
The Detroit News archives
Buy Photo
None
Franklin sings "Amazing Grace" for the Detroit visit of Pope John Paul on Sept. 20, 1987.
Edwin Lombardo, The Detroit News
None
Singer James Brown joins Aretha Franklin for a performance at the Taboo night club in Detroit, Jan. 11, 1987, for a show which was taped for airing on HBO.
Joe Kennedy, Associated Press
Buy Photo
None
Motown legend Aretha Franklin sings the national anthem at the beginning of WrestleMania III, March 29, 1987. Traffic was so bad getting to the Silverdome, she arrived just on time, with no time for a sound check.
David Coates, The Detroit News
None
Aretha Franklin joins George Michael during his Faith World Tour Stop at The Palace in Auburn Hills in 1988. The duo sang their Grammy winning hit, "I Knew you were waiting (for me)" -- their first performance together in concert.
AP
Buy Photo
None
Franklin leaves New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit after funeral services for her brother Cecil on Dec. 31, 1989.
Diane Weiss, The Detroit News
None
Candice Bergen and Franklin sang "You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman" on Bergen's "Murphy Brown" show, June 22, 1992.
CBS Television
None
Composer Morton Gould, left, and actor Kirk Douglas talk with Aretha Franklin following a dinner at the State Department in Washington, Dec. 3, 1994. The dinner was held to honor them as recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors of 1994. Also honored were songwriter Pete Seeger and director Harold Prince. (AP Photo/Doug Mills)
Doug Mills, Associated Press
Buy Photo
None
Aretha Franklin sings the national anthem as the Detroit Pistons take on the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 of NBA Finals on June 15, 2004.
Robin Buckson, The Detroit News
None
Aretha Franklin joins Stevie Wonder onstage at the 10th Annual Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards in 2005 in Pasadena, California.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images
None
President George W. Bush presented her with a medal at the Freedom Awards Ceremony at the White House. on November 9, 2005.
Douglas A. Sonders, Getty Images
Buy Photo
None
Aretha Franklin sings at the memorial service of Rosa Parks at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit on Nov. 2, 2005.
John T. Greilick, The Detroit News
None
Aretha Franklin appears at Berklee College of Music's commencement May 13, 2006 in Boston. Franklin, along with singer Melissa Etheridge, received honorary degrees for their achievements in music. (Photo by Darren McCollester/Getty Images)
Darren McCollester, Getty Images
Buy Photo
None
Aretha Franklin performs at the “Let Freedom Ring Celebration" for the inauguration of President Barack Obama, at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. on January 19, 2009.
Daniel Mears, The Detroit News
Buy Photo
None
The Queen of Soul kisses Motown founder Berry Gordy after her performance at a Motown 50th anniversary gala at the Renaissance Center in Detroit on November 21, 2009.
Brandy Baker , The Detroit News
Buy Photo
None
Aretha Franklin and Rev. Jesse Jackson at the Pistons vs Miami Heat game, February 11, 2011, at the Palace of Auburn Hills.
Clarence Tabb Jr, The Detroit News
None
In this Feb. 11, 2011, Aretha Franklin smiles after the Detroit Pistons-Miami Heat NBA basketball game in Auburn Hills.
Paul Sancya, AP
None
Aretha Franklin gives a thumbs up after receiving an honorary Doctor of Arts degree at Harvard University in 2014.
Montez Miller / Special to The Detroit News
None
Aretha brought down the house at the Kennedy Center Honors in 2015, moving President Barack Obama and others to tears with a powerful "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman."
Molly Riley / Getty Images
Buy Photo
None
In June 2017, a street near Comerica Park was renamed Aretha Franklin Way in her honor, at the corner of Madison and Brush streets.
David Guralnick, The Detroit News
None
At the street-naming ceremony, Franklin reflected on her early years performing in Detroit clubs.
“Detroit has been with me ever since,” she said. “They were with me when no one else knew who I was and I’ve been with them every step of the way.”
Rachel Woolf, Special to The Detroit News
None
In this April 19, 2017 photo, Aretha Franklin performs at the world premiere of "Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives" at Radio City Music Hall, during the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival in New York.
Charles Sykes, Charles Sykes/Invision/AP
Autoplay
Show Thumbnails
Show Captions
None
Aretha Franklin, wearing the hat that became an internet sensation, performs at the swearing-in ceremony of President Barack Obama at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, Jan. 20, 2009. The pride of Detroit and the Queen of Soul, her amazing voice entertained the world for decades.
Join the Conversation
To find out more about Facebook commenting please read the Conversation Guidelines and FAQs
Comments
This conversation is moderated according to USA TODAY's community rules. Please read the rules before joining the discussion.