Retro Blast: Aretha Franklin's Incredible Career In Music

Aretha Louise Franklin was born on March 25, 1942, in Memphis, Tennessee, to a family steeped in music. Her father, C.L. Franklin, was a renowned Baptist preacher and civil rights activist known for his fiery sermons and charismatic voice. Her mother, Barbara Siggers Franklin, was a gospel singer. Aretha’s musical talents were apparent from an early age, and she began singing gospel at her father’s church in Detroit, Michigan, where the family moved when she was a young child. Growing up in a religious household, Franklin was deeply influenced by gospel music, which laid the foundation for her future career. By the age of 12, she was already a seasoned performer in the church, regularly singing in front of congregations. Her father's close connections to the gospel music scene exposed her to a variety of influential artists, including Mahalia Jackson and Sam Cooke, who would later influence her vocal style.

In 1956, at the age of 14, Franklin recorded her first album, 'Aretha: With The Ray Conniff Singers', a collection of gospel songs. This early experience in the recording studio highlighted Franklin’s powerful voice, but it wasn’t until she signed with Columbia Records in 1960 that her professional career truly began. Columbia initially promoted her as a jazz and pop singer, releasing albums like 'Aretha: With The Ray Conniff Singers' and 'The Electrifying Aretha Franklin'. While these albums showed her vocal ability, they failed to establish Franklin as a major star.

However, it was during this period that Franklin began to shape her style, incorporating the emotional intensity of gospel music into the pop and jazz genres she was recording. Her struggle to find commercial success with Columbia ultimately led her to make a pivotal change that would solidify her status as one of the greatest voices of the 20th century. In 1967, Franklin signed with Atlantic Records, a move that would prove to be a game-changer. Under the direction of legendary producer Jerry Wexler, she fully embraced the soul genre, blending her gospel roots with rhythm and blues and pop music. This period marked a transformation, not only in Franklin’s music but also in the broader landscape of soul music. Her first major hit for Atlantic came with the release of 'I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You', an album that would define her career.

The album’s lead single, "Respect," became an anthem for the feminist movement and the civil rights movement, showcasing Franklin’s powerful, commanding voice and her ability to convey deep emotion. The song, originally written by Otis Redding, took on new meaning in Franklin’s hands. Her version, imbued with defiance and strength, earned her two Grammy Awards and became her first major hit, topping the charts and solidifying her as a cultural icon. The album 'I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You' also included the timeless ballad "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man" and the soulful "Baby, Baby, Baby." These tracks showcased her extraordinary vocal range, from hushed tenderness to soaring, heart-wrenching power. Franklin’s ability to infuse gospel-like emotion into secular music resonated deeply with listeners, and her influence only grew stronger with each subsequent release.

Following the success of 'I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You', Franklin’s career trajectory reached new heights. In 1968, she released 'Lady Soul', an album that included a string of iconic tracks such as "Chain of Fools," "A Natural Woman (You Make Me Feel Like)," and "Since You’ve Been Gone." "A Natural Woman," written by Carole King, Gerry Goffin, and Jerry Wexler, became one of her signature songs and is often considered one of the greatest songs in pop music history. Franklin’s delivery of the song, full of longing, strength, and raw emotion, turned it into an instant classic.

Her 1969 album 'Aretha Now' featured yet another milestone with the powerful "Think," which was not only a chart-topping single but also an anthem for the civil rights movement, showcasing Franklin’s ability to use her music as a vehicle for social change. "Think" became a rallying cry for liberation, independence, and self-determination, encapsulating Franklin’s evolving role as both a musical and cultural leader.

Though Aretha Franklin had established herself as a pop and soul superstar by the late 1960s, she never abandoned her gospel roots. In 1972, she recorded 'Amazing Grace', an album that would go on to become one of the best-selling gospel albums of all time. Recorded live at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles, the album featured Franklin’s stirring renditions of hymns such as "Precious Lord, Take My Hand" and "Amazing Grace." The live recording, paired with the raw energy of Franklin’s church background, created an album that was emotionally charged and deeply spiritual. 'Amazing Grace' demonstrated Franklin’s unparalleled ability to infuse her gospel roots into popular music, and it remains one of her most critically revered albums.

In the 1970s, Franklin’s personal life became increasingly tumultuous. She experienced a series of relationships, marriages, and challenges with addiction that complicated her career. Despite these personal struggles, she continued to release albums that showed her musical versatility, such as 'Young, Gifted and Black' and 'Sparkle'. The 1970s also saw her expanding into more mainstream pop territory with hits like "Rock Steady" and "Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)."

In the 1980s, Franklin reinvented herself again, this time with a more contemporary sound influenced by the emerging pop and R&B trends. In 1985, she released 'Who's Zoomin' Who?', which included the hit single "Freeway of Love." The song became one of her most commercially successful tracks, and Franklin’s collaboration with producer Narada Michael Walden marked a new chapter in her career. Despite personal hardships, Franklin's incredible vocal prowess remained unwavering, and she continued to be a powerful force in the music industry throughout the decade.

Aretha Franklin’s career is adorned with countless awards, including 18 Grammy Awards (more than any other female artist) and the Presidential Medal of Freedom, awarded by President Barack Obama in 2019. She was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, and her contributions to music were acknowledged by fans and peers alike. Franklin's influence stretched beyond just her vocal talent; she became a symbol of empowerment, resilience, and artistic integrity, inspiring generations of singers, songwriters, and music lovers. Her music, from the powerful anthems like "Respect" and "Think" to the timeless ballads like "I Say a Little Prayer" and "A Natural Woman," resonated deeply with listeners of all backgrounds. Franklin's mastery over both the technical and emotional aspects of music made her a true legend, and her work continues to inspire artists across genres.