Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin was an American singer, songwriter, and civil rights activist, renowned as the "Queen of Soul." Born in 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee, she rose to fame in the 1960s with hits like "Respect," "Natural Woman," and "Think." Her powerful voice and emotive performances helped shape the genre of soul music, and she became a symbol of empowerment and resilience, particularly for African Americans and women. Franklin won 18 Grammy Awards and was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. She passed away in 2018, leaving a lasting legacy in music and culture.