Aretha Franklin Timeline

(1942 – 2018)

Aretha Franklin (1942–2018) was an American singer, songwriter, and pianist known as the 'Queen of Soul.' With a career spanning over six decades, she became one of the best-selling and most influential artists in music history, famous for hits like 'Respect' and '(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.' More Less

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Early Life

Aretha Franklin is born in Memphis, Tennessee

Mar 25, 1942

Aretha Louise Franklin was born in Memphis, Tennessee, to Barbara Siggers Franklin and Clarence LaVaughn Franklin, a Baptist minister. She would grow up to become one of the most celebrated singers in American history.

Image source: Aretha Franklin

Franklin family relocates to Detroit, Michigan

1946

The Franklin family moved to Buffalo, New York, and shortly thereafter settled in Detroit, Michigan, where her father became pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church. Detroit became Aretha's lifelong home base.

Image source: New Bethel Baptist Church (Detroit)

Mother Barbara Franklin dies of a heart attack

Mar 7, 1952

Aretha's mother died of a heart attack when Aretha was just ten years old. The loss deeply affected her, and she was subsequently raised primarily by her father and other family members.

Begins singing gospel at New Bethel Baptist Church

1954

As a young teen, Aretha began singing solos at her father's church, where her powerful voice quickly drew attention. Gospel music formed the foundation of her musical style throughout her career.

Image source: Gospel music

Marries Ted White

Apr 11, 1962 - Aug 1969

Franklin married Theodore 'Ted' White, who later also became her manager. The marriage was troubled and ended in divorce in 1969.

Music Career

Signs with J-V-B Records and releases gospel recordings

1956

At age 14, Franklin signed with J-V-B Records and recorded the album 'Songs of Faith,' capturing live performances of gospel songs from the New Bethel Baptist Church congregation.

Image source: Songs of Faith (Aretha Franklin album)

Signs with Columbia Records

Nov 1960

At eighteen, Aretha Franklin signed with Columbia Records after being courted by producer John Hammond. Her Columbia years produced jazz and pop-influenced albums but limited commercial success.

Image source: Columbia Records

Scores first Top 10 hit with Rock-a-bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody

1961

Franklin's rendition of the Al Jolson standard reached No. 37 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming an early chart success during her Columbia years.

Image source: Rock-a-bye Baby

Releases debut Columbia album Aretha

Feb 1961

Franklin's debut studio album 'Aretha' was released by Columbia Records, showcasing her versatility across jazz, blues, and pop standards while she searched for her commercial breakthrough.

Image source: Aretha (1961 album)

Signs with Atlantic Records

Nov 1966

After six modestly successful years at Columbia, Franklin signed with Atlantic Records, where producers Jerry Wexler and Arif Mardin encouraged her to return to her gospel and R&B roots, transforming her career.

Image source: Atlantic Records

Records I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You) at FAME Studios

Jan 1967

Recorded at Rick Hall's FAME Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, the single became Franklin's first major hit for Atlantic, reaching the top ten on both pop and R&B charts.

Image source: I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You

Respect becomes a No. 1 hit and civil rights anthem

Apr 1967

Her cover of Otis Redding's 'Respect' topped the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts. It became her signature song and an enduring anthem for the civil rights and feminist movements, earning her Grammy Awards for Best Rhythm & Blues Recording and Best R&B Solo Vocal Performance, Female.

Image source: Respect (song)

Sings at Martin Luther King Jr.'s funeral

Apr 9, 1968

Days after Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination, Franklin performed 'Take My Hand, Precious Lord' at his funeral in Atlanta, a song long associated with the civil rights movement.

Image source: Martin Luther King Jr.

Performs at Fillmore West to crossover audiences

Mar 1971

Franklin's celebrated performances at Bill Graham's Fillmore West in San Francisco expanded her audience among rock listeners, and the shows were captured on the live album 'Aretha Live at Fillmore West.'

Image source: Fillmore West

Records Amazing Grace live gospel double album

Jan 13, 1972

Recorded over two nights at New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles with Rev. James Cleveland's choir, 'Amazing Grace' became the best-selling gospel album of all time and is widely regarded as a masterpiece.

Image source: Amazing Grace (Aretha Franklin album)

Records Amazing Grace live gospel double album

Young, Gifted and Black released to critical acclaim

Jan 24, 1972

The album 'Young, Gifted and Black' featured hits like 'Rock Steady' and 'Day Dreaming,' and its title track became another signature statement of pride and empowerment.

Image source: Young, Gifted and Black

Stars alongside Sidney Poitier in the film Sparkle

1976

Franklin recorded four songs for the soundtrack of 'Sparkle,' a musical drama about a girl group; the soundtrack, including 'Something He Can Feel,' was written by Curtis Mayfield and achieved commercial success.

Image source: Sparkle (1976 film)

Signs with Arista Records

1980

Franklin left Atlantic and signed with Clive Davis's Arista Records, where a series of collaborations with contemporary producers revived her commercial fortunes in the 1980s.

Portrays a waitress in The Blues Brothers

Jun 20, 1980

Franklin appeared in the comedy film 'The Blues Brothers' performing 'Think,' introducing her music to a new generation of moviegoers.

Image source: The Blues Brothers

Portrays a waitress in The Blues Brothers

Jump to It becomes a No. 1 R&B hit

1982

Produced by Luther Vandross, 'Jump to It' returned Franklin to the top of the R&B chart for the first time since the early 1970s and revitalized her recording career.

Freeway of Love returns her to the pop top ten

1985

Produced by Narada Michael Walden, the single 'Freeway of Love' reached No. 3 on the Hot 100, becoming one of her biggest hits in years and winning a Grammy Award.

Image source: Freeway of Love

Sings at the inauguration of President Bill Clinton

Jan 20, 1993

Franklin performed at Bill Clinton's inaugural gala, continuing her tradition of singing at major moments in American civic life; she had also performed at Jimmy Carter's 1977 inaugural ball.

Image source: First inauguration of Bill Clinton

Performs My Country, 'Tis of Thee at Obama's inauguration

Jan 20, 2009

Wearing a memorable gray hat, Franklin sang 'My Country, 'Tis of Thee' at Barack Obama's presidential inauguration before a global television audience.

Image source: First inauguration of Barack Obama

Awards and Honors

Named Female Vocalist of the Year by NARAS for multiple consecutive years

1968

From 1968 through 1975, Franklin won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female eight consecutive times, an unprecedented streak that underscored her dominance of soul music.

Image source: Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance

Wins her first Grammy Award

Feb 29, 1968

Franklin won two Grammys at the 10th Annual Grammy Awards, including Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female for 'Respect,' beginning her record-setting run of R&B vocal awards.

Appears on the cover of Time magazine

Jun 28, 1968

Time magazine featured Aretha Franklin on its cover as part of a profile celebrating her rise to fame as the Queen of Soul, cementing her status as a national cultural icon.

Image source: Time (magazine)

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Jan 3, 1987

Aretha Franklin became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, recognized for her foundational influence on American popular music.

Image source: Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) wins Grammy for duet with George Michael

Mar 3, 1988

Her duet with George Michael topped the charts worldwide and earned Franklin another Grammy Award, extending her commercial relevance into the late 1980s.

Image source: I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)

I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) wins Grammy for duet with George Michael

Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom

Nov 9, 2005

President George W. Bush presented Franklin with the nation's highest civilian honor, recognizing her extraordinary contributions to American culture and society.

Image source: Presidential Medal of Freedom

Awarded honorary Doctor of Arts degree by Harvard University

May 29, 2014

Franklin received an honorary degree from Harvard University, adding to the numerous honorary doctorates awarded to her by institutions across the United States over the decades.

Image source: Harvard University

Posthumously awarded Pulitzer Prize Special Citation

Apr 15, 2019

Franklin was awarded a Pulitzer Prize Special Citation honoring 'her indelible mark on American music and culture for more than five decades,' making her the first individual woman to receive such a citation.

Image source: Pulitzer Prize Special Citations and Awards

Legacy

Announces retirement from touring

Feb 2017

Franklin announced that she planned to retire from regular touring, stating she would perform only selected engagements, though she continued to appear at special events.

Final public performance at Elton John AIDS Foundation gala

Nov 7, 2017

Franklin gave what proved to be her final public performance, singing at the Elton John AIDS Foundation's 25th anniversary gala at Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.

Image source: Elton John AIDS Foundation

Aretha Franklin dies at age 76 in Detroit

Aug 16, 2018

Aretha Franklin died at her home in Detroit from pancreatic cancer. Tributes poured in from around the world, honoring the Queen of Soul's unmatched impact on music and culture.

Key Facts

Aretha Franklin was born on March 25, 1942, in Memphis, Tennessee, and raised in Detroit, Michigan, where her father was a prominent Baptist minister.
She began her career singing gospel music at her father's church before signing with Columbia Records in 1960 and later Atlantic Records in 1966, where she achieved major commercial success.
Her 1967 cover of Otis Redding's 'Respect' became an anthem for both the civil rights and feminist movements and earned her two Grammy Awards.
Franklin won 18 Grammy Awards during her lifetime and became the first female performer inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
In 2018, she passed away from pancreatic cancer, and later that year she was posthumously awarded the Pulitzer Prize Special Citation for her contributions to American music and culture.

Source

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