TIME TUNNEL FEATURED ARTIST – ARETHA FRANKLIN

Aretha Franklin was the fourth of five children, born to a Baptist preacher and a gospel singer.  Aretha was once married to actor, Glynn Turman, and has two sons.

Trivia:  Aretha Franklin does not like to fly - uses a Tour Bus for all engagements.

During her career, she released a string of singles that would become classics, such as Respect, Baby I Love You, Chain of Fools, You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman, I Say a Little Prayer, and the list goes on.  They don’t call her the “Queen” for nothing… Aretha has had several illnesses, but through it all, she still continues to perform for various events today.

She has won 18 Grammys, making her the female artists who has one the second most Grammys of all time and one of the most honored artists in Grammy history. The “Queen of Soul”  earned her title for taking home eight consecutive Grammy award for Best R&B Female Vocal Performance during her continued success throughout the 70’s. Spurred by Mahalia Jackson’s passing, Aretha’s resurgence of interest in gospel music lead to her 1972 album Amazing Grace which sold over two million units making it the best-selling gospel album at the time.

Aretha recorded the soundtrack to Sparkle in 1976, and made a cameo appearance in the Blues Brothers in 1980 singing Think.  She has been invited to perform at the 1977, 1994, and 2000 presidential inaugurations.

She was inducted in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (the first time a woman had ever been awarded such an honor.

Aretha was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom and became the second woman ever to be inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame.