Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin, the undisputed Queen of Soul, possessed a celestial voice rooted in the Baptist church.

The daughter of Reverend C.L. Franklin, she began her career in the gospel choir, absorbing the styles of Mahalia Jackson and Clara Ward. While her early recordings at Columbia focused on a jazz and pop blend, her move to Atlantic allowed her to embrace an R&B heritage and a soulful revolution. Franklin transformed covers into definitive anthems, turning Otis Redding's Respect into a feminist manifesto and blending primal screams with low moans to create an irresistible spiritual connection. An accomplished pianist and songwriter, she bridged the gap between the secular and the sacred, most notably with the record breaking gospel album Amazing Grace. Throughout her career, she collaborated with diverse artists including George Michael and Duane Allman, maintaining a sound that remained woven into the fabric of her faith.