Aretha Franklin's expansive vocals and powerful personal presence made her one of the greatest entertainers in world history, and on this day, January 3, 1987, she became the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
“Aretha Franklin was an artist of passion, sophistication and command, and her recordings remain anthems that define soul music,” the Rock Hall wrote in the performer's biography.
She was “only 25 when she earned the title of Lady Soul with her unforgettable, proud, sexy, outspoken and confident 1967 version of Otis Redding's 'Respect.'
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Franklin's versions of hits such as “Respect” and “Think” captured the unique power of her voice and made her a symbol of both women's empowerment and the civil rights movement.
Her range as an artist was expressed in soft-voiced, more personally vulnerable songs like “Say a Little Prayer” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.”
American musician Aretha Franklin performs on stage at Park West Auditorium on March 23, 1992 in Chicago, Illinois. (Paul Nutkin/Getty Images)
Franklin, also known as the Queen of Soul, topped Rolling Stone's list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time, just released on January 1st.
Rolling Stone magazine said of the late singer, “A force of nature. A work of genius. A gift from above. Aretha Franklin's voice is all that and more. That's why, years after her final bow, She will continue to be an unwavering queen.” In 2018 she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
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The magazine also said, “Her songs are the greatest sound to come out of America, more universal than Coltrane's horns and bolder than Hendrix's guitars.”
“Her songs are the greatest sound to come out of America.” – Rolling Stone
Another member of the Rolling Stones, Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, had the honor of inducting Franklin into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
“The dictionary is exhausted. There are no more superlatives left,” Richards said at the ceremony.
American singer Aretha Franklin (1942-2018) during rehearsals for her “Soul Together” show at Madison Square Garden in New York City in June 1968. Proceeds from the show were donated to the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Fund. (Don Paulsen/Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images)
Franklin was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 after the organization was criticized for introducing only male performers to its debut class of 10 artists.
The group boasted a wide range of talent from a variety of genres, including James Brown, Ray Charles, Elvis Presley, and the Everly Brothers. But there were no women.
Criticism continues even recently.
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“People have accused Hall of this xenophobia,” Billboard wrote in 2019. “When Steve Miller took over in 2016, he called the hall a 'private boys' club.'
Aretha Franklin broke down the club's door.
The performer was born in Memphis in 1942 to Reverend Clarence L. Franklin and Barbara V. Segars. Two years later, her family moved to Detroit, where her father ministered to many of the Motor City's most prominent performers at New Bethel Baptist Church.
Presenter Aretha Franklin answers questions in the press room during the 22nd Annual Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City on March 12, 2007. (Peter Kramer/Getty Images)
According to the Detroit Historical Society, “Aretha, who lived in a church parochial home at Boston Boulevard and Oakland Avenue, met music legends such as Art Tatum and Nat King Cole as a child while visiting her father. “I touched it,” he wrote.
“We are grateful that her music will continue to bring joy to millions of people for generations to come.” — President George W. Bush
“When she was 17 years old, Franklin's father decided that after five years of singing in traveling gospel shows, she was ready to pursue singing in New York City. In 1967, 'Respect' The year she hit the charts, Franklin was crowned “Queen.” “Of Soul” by Chicago DJ Pervis Spann. From there, Aretha produced 20 number one R&B hits and she would go on to win more than 20 Grammy Awards, including her Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994. ”
Aretha Franklin was known for hits such as “Chain of Fools,” “(You Make Me Feel Like) a Natural Woman,” and “Respect.” (Getty Images)
Franklin grew up in Detroit and later died, but never recorded for Motown Records.
Instead, she received representation from major labels such as Columbia, Atlantic, and Arista Records.
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Her honors fell far short of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Franklin performed at three presidential inaugurations. She was inducted into the British Music Hall of Fame in 2005, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2012, and the National Women's Hall of Fame in 2020.
In 2019, she received a special Pulitzer Prize for her “indelible contributions to American music and culture over more than 50 years.”
On November 9, 2005, President George W. Bush awarded America's highest civilian award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, to singer Aretha Franklin as far-right actor Andy Griffith looked on in the East Room of the White House in Washington, DC. to be awarded. This medal is awarded to those who have contributed to national security, world peace, and culture. (Mandel Gann/AFP via Getty Images)
President George W. Bush awarded Franklin the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor, in 2005.
“Aretha was a woman of accomplishment with deep character and a loving heart,” the president wrote in a letter of condolence to Franklin's family upon her death in 2018.
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“With her gospel-inspired style and unique voice, she made important and lasting contributions to American music. Her extraordinary talent helped shape our nation's cultural and artistic heritage.” ” he also wrote.
“I am proud to have met Aretha and am grateful that her music will continue to bring joy to millions of people for generations to come.”
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