Read more opinions on theGrio. On August 13, 2018, Franklin was reported to be gravely ill with pancreatic cancer, the disease she was first diagnosed with in 2010, in a Detroit hospital. released Franklin's first single, "Never Grow Old", backed with "You Grow Closer". At Atlantic, Franklin returned to her gospel-blues roots, and the results were sensational. [233], On January 29, 2018, Gary Graff confirmed that Jennifer Hudson would play Franklin in an upcoming biopic. At the time of its release, Franklin who died in 2018 of pancreatic cancer at the age of 76 was married to her first husband Ted White, who also became her manager. Editor's note: The following article is an op-ed and the views expressed are the author's own. [118] When Angela Davis was jailed in 1970, Franklin told Jet: "Angela Davis must go free Black people will be free. However, Franklin's family denounced the series, claiming to be uninvolved with the production process, despite the production team stating that the series had been endorsed by the Franklin estate. [210] The Aretha Franklin Post Office Building was named in 2021, and is located at 12711 East Jefferson Avenue in Detroit, Michigan. Ted White was Aretha Franklin's first husband and the father of her third son ( she'd had two children as a teenager). He didnt have no pussycat. [40] The 1991 album What You See is What You Sweat flopped on the charts. Get a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content. I've been locked up (for disturbing the peace in Detroit) and I know you got to disturb the peace when you can't get no peace. Columbia placed her with a variety of producers who marketed her to both adults (If Ever You Should Leave Me, 1963) and teens (Soulville, 1964). [138] After six months at Henry Ford Hospital while still in a coma, C. L. was moved back to his home with 24-hour nursing care. Aretha Franklin dies at 76. Franklin rarely talked about her family and personal life, and for decades, Clarence Franklin's father has been . Jail is hell to be in. Her parents separated when she was six, and Franklin remained with her father in Detroit. At age 19, Aretha Franklin married Ted White, a man with a highly . However, she struggled with commercial success while at Columbia. [1] She had often been described as a great singer and musician due to "vocal flexibility, interpretive intelligence, skillful piano-playing, her ear, her experience". [77][78] Franklin's first Arista album, Aretha (1980), featured the number-three R&B hit "United Together" and her Grammy-nominated cover of Redding's "I Can't Turn You Loose". https://www.britannica.com/biography/Aretha-Franklin, Aretha Franklin - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Aretha Franklin - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up), Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum (1987). Without targeting any particular genre, she sang everything from Broadway ballads to youth-oriented rhythm and blues. She was praised for her arrangements and interpretations of other artists' hit songs. Theres nothing he wouldn't do for her. He was kind of abusive., As for Franklin herself, all she ever said even in her very own autobiography was I didnt realize I was in way over my head, calling White a take-charge kind of guy., That taking charge seemed to overshadow both her personal and professional lives, exploding in a violent incident between White and producer Rick Hall that, according to Hall, turned into a full-blown fist fight., READ MORE: Inside the Lifelong Friendship of Aretha Franklin and Smokey Robinson. Despite their short marriage, the former couple remained close friends throughout the years. Our editors handpick the products that we feature. Aretha Franklin's secret life: From her 'orgy-loving father' to Aretha Franklin's Relationships With Her Multiple Husbands Is Utterly Aretha Louise Franklin (March 25, 1942 - August 16, 2018) was an American soul and R&B singer. Donald and Aretha eventually split up and by 1961, she and Mr. Theodore Ted White were married. The follow-up, 1981's Love All the Hurt Away, included her famed duet of the title track with George Benson, while the album also included her Grammy-winning cover of Sam & Dave's "Hold On, I'm Comin'". She denied that the ailment had anything to do with pancreatic cancer, as had been reported. [46] By the end of 1961, Franklin was named as a "new-star female vocalist" in DownBeat magazine. [106] It peaked at number five on the Billboard Top Classical Albums chart before her death and rose to number two after her death. [144] Franklin had to cancel plans to perform at Whitney Houston's memorial service on February 18, 2012, due to a leg spasm. Chicago Concert Reviews", "Elton John Celebrates 25 Years of His Foundation With Help From Bill Clinton, Aretha Franklin & Neil Patrick Harris", "The voice was incredible, but Aretha Franklin at the piano was also pure magic", "The Special Bond Between Aretha Franklin and Barack Obama", "Aretha Franklin Had a Huge Impact on the Civil Rights Movement", "Aretha Franklin, Civil Rights Stalwart: 'In Her Voice, We Could Feel Our History', "Aretha Franklin's History with Civil Rights, from Martin Luther King Jr. to Barack Obama", "Suzan Shown Harjo: Remembering a moment in time with the late Aretha Franklin", "Aretha Franklin's handwritten wills, if real, shed light on a titanic and complicated life", "Orgies, Attitudes And Anxieties: Biographer Paints Different Portrait Of Aretha Franklin", "Sam Cooke's Brother, Charles, Is Shot In Detroit", "Aretha Franklin's 'Forever Friend' Willie Wilkerson Dies of COVID-19 at 72", "Aretha Franklin to get married this summer | Celebrity Buzz", "Aretha Franklin Talks Turning 70 Years Old, Shares Update on Her Health", "Aretha Franklin Talks Faith, Miraculous Healing", "Why Aretha Franklin's legacy is inspiring others to write gospel music for the masses", "Aretha Franklin Plays the Longest National Anthem In U.S. History", "Aretha Franklin Sets The Record Straight On Her Health: 'I Don't Know Where Pancreatic Cancer Came From', "Aretha Franklin Has Died of Pancreatic Cancer: A Look at Her Health Over the Last Decade", "Aretha Franklin cancels 2 shows for undisclosed ailment", "Aretha Franklin taking June off, postponing shows", "Aretha Franklin cancels hometown show citing treatment", "Aretha Franklin not attending baseball luncheon", "Aretha Franklin Cancels September Show, Sparking Concerns Over Her Health", "Aretha Franklin happily sheds weight, embraces future", "Aretha Franklin Announces Retirement, Final Album", "Aretha Franklin said to be 'seriously ill', "Aretha Franklin 'gravely ill' in Detroit", "Stevie Wonder Visits Aretha Franklin As 'Queen of Soul' Rests in Hospice Care", "Aretha Franklin's newly discovered will complicates estate dispute", "This is what will happen to Aretha Franklin's estate", "Dressed like a 'resplendent' queen, Aretha Franklin rests in gold casket", "A note from the NET Research Foundation on the passing of Aretha Franklin, Queen of Soul", "Aretha Franklin Died of Advanced Neuroendocrine Pancreatic Cancer. She apparently wanted to pivot from gospel to pop, and White was connected to the world of the former. In 1974, she lost 40 pounds (18kg) on a very-low-calorie diet[150] and maintained her new weight until the end of the decade. [107][108][109] At the Ravinia Festival on September 3, 2017, she gave her last full concert. Her life story is explored in the new series, Genius: Aretha. March 17, 2021. [33] As a young gospel singer, Franklin spent summers on the gospel circuit in Chicago and stayed with Mavis Staples' family. March 28, 1970) with 3rd ex-boyfriend, Ken Cunningham. [166] However, she scheduled some 2018 concert dates before canceling them based on her physician's advice. She then married her second husband, actor Glynn Turman, in 1978, and became stepmother of Turman's three children from a previous marriage. [Part 8]: UNT Digital Library", "The Tender, The Moving, The Swinging Aretha Franklin", "This is the moment Aretha Franklin became the 'Queen of Soul', "Aretha Franklin: 18 major events in the singer's life", "How pain and passion shaped the genius of Aretha Franklin", "Aretha's R-E-S-P-E-C-T Still Spells Success", "How Mahalia Jackson defined the 'I Have a Dream' speech", "Aretha Franklin, Indomitable 'Queen of Soul,' Dies at 76", "Aretha Franklin & the Art of Musical Partnership", "Clive Davis Mourns Aretha Franklin: 'Truly One of a Kind', "John Landis, Who Directed Aretha Franklin's Only Two Movies, Remembers Her 'Blues Brothers' Turns", "Writer's Ballad Tapped For Abc-tv Fall Theme", "Watch Aretha Franklin Sing 'America the Beautiful' at WrestleMania III", "Aretha Franklin - Think (1989) (Remake - Official Music Video)", "Aretha Franklin - 'I Want To Be Happy' & 'Natural Woman' (1990) - MDA Telethon", "Aretha Franklin - 'Someone Else's Eyes' (1990) - MDA Telethon", "American album certifications Aretha Franklin A Rose Is Still a Rose", "Grammys Producer Ken Ehrlich on Aretha Franklin's Last-Minute, Showstopping 1998 Opera Moment: 'She Was Incomparable', "When Aretha Franklin stepped in for Pavarotti at the last minute to perform Nessun Dorma", "Jewels in the Crown: All Star Duets with the Queen", "Univ. [6] In 2010, Rolling Stone ranked Franklin number one on its list of the "100 Greatest Singers of All Time". C. L. Franklin, 69, Dies After 5 Years in Coma", "Aretha Talks About Men, Marriage, Music & Motherhood", "Aretha Franklin Returns With Soulful CD, 'So Damn Happy', https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Aretha_Franklin&oldid=1138350111, This page was last edited on 9 February 2023, at 05:30. [175][176] Numerous celebrities in the entertainment industry and politicians paid tribute to Franklin, including former U.S. President Barack Obama who said she "helped define the American experience". Her enormous discography includes 38 studio albums and 6 live albums. However, just a few weeks later, the engagement ended. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors. Advertisement ARETHA'S MARRIAGE Aretha Franklin and actor Glynn Turman both had failed marriages when they started falling in love. Franklin's final top 40 single was 1998's "A Rose Is Still a Rose". All Rights Reserved. Aretha Franklin, in full Aretha Louise Franklin, (born March 25, 1942, Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.died August 16, 2018, Detroit, Michigan), American singer who defined the golden age of soul music of the 1960s. In 2019 she was awarded a Pulitzer Prize Special Citation "[f]or her indelible contribution to American music and culture for more than five decades". 'Respect' Movie vs. the True Story of Aretha Franklin's Life Thats the one commitment that will never die.. She was 1 of 5 children. Aretha Franklin's Granddaughter Performs Iconic Singer's 'Ain't No Way' for 'American Idol' Audition. Ted was into something else. [54][55] Wexler decided that he wanted to take advantage of her gospel background; his philosophy in general was to encourage a "tenacious form of rhythm & blues that became increasingly identified as soul". The album yielded Franklin's final top-40 hit of the decade, "Something He Can Feel", which also peaked at number one on the R&B chart. Deacon Willie Todd declared, Reverend Franklin couldnt stand Ted, according to Vanity Fair. In 2010, Franklin accepted an honorary degree from Yale University. They had one child, son Teddy Richards. 3 Although she was born in Memphis, Tennessee, Aretha Franklin spent most of her early years in Detroit, Michigan, with her mother, a gospel singer, and her father, a Baptist minister. R.I.P. [201] Following news of Franklin's surgery and recovery in February 2011, the Grammys ceremony paid tribute to the singer with a medley of her classics performed by Christina Aguilera, Florence Welch, Jennifer Hudson, Martina McBride, and Yolanda Adams. Ted wasnt really talking to me and I was happy not to talk to him. Aretha Was Engaged To A Temptation Singer Who Regrets Not Marrying Her The album's title track was her first top-40 single on the pop charts in six years. [132][133] She had actually seen White the first time at a party held at her house in 1954. A lot of trouble. C. L. (Clarence La Vaughn), a minister and gospel singer, and gospel singer Barbara (Siggers) Franklin. There, she met Ted White, whom she married in 1961. [152] Discussing the surgery in 2011, she quoted her doctor as saying that it would "add 15 to 20 years" to her life. [153] She admitted in 1994 that her smoking was "messing with my voice",[154] but after quitting smoking she said later, in 2003, that her weight "ballooned". You make mistakes. And Aretha Franklin knew that better than anyone. [25] Ward also served as a role model to the young Aretha. Her most famous songs include Respect (1967), I Say a Little Prayer (1968), Chain of Fools (1967), and Until You Come Back to Me (Thats What Im Gonna Do) (1973). Not only did she rarely talk about their seven-year marriage, which began when she was 19, but a 1968 magazine story that alluded to trouble in their relationship led to her closing herself to major media interviews all together. [211], Rolling Stone called Franklin "the greatest singer of her generation". According to sources in Respect, Franklin was happy to know she was having a child with Cunningham, but was hesitant at the time to marry again following her difficult split from White. The next seven years' achievements were less impressive. In March 1969, Franklin was unanimously voted winner of Acadmie du Jazz's R&B award, Prix Otis Redding, for her albums Lady Soul, Aretha Now, and Aretha in Paris. [61] On February 16, Franklin was honored with a day named for her and was greeted by longtime friend Martin Luther King Jr., who gave her the SCLC Drum Beat Award for Musicians two months before his death. 'Respect' Fact Check: How Did Aretha Franklin Get - TheWrap Grant Rindner is a culture and music journalist in New York. A Grammy Celebration for the Queen of Soul', "Jennifer Hudson to play Aretha Franklin in Biopic: 'U Have No Idea How Humbled I Am', "Jennifer Hudson Shines as Aretha Franklin in 'Respect' Trailer (Watch)", "Respect trailer released Aretha Franklin Biopic in UK cinemas 22 Jan 2021", "National Geographic Taps Suzan-Lori Parks as Executive Producer and Showrunner for 'Genius: Aretha Franklin', "Queen of Soul's Father Rev. [114] According to David Remnick, what "distinguishes her is not merely the breadth of her catalog or the cataract force of her vocal instrument; it's her musical intelligence, her way of singing behind the beat, of spraying a wash of notes over a single word or syllable, of constructing, moment by moment, the emotional power of a three-minute song. In addition to being an actor, Turman worked as a producer, writer, and director throughout his career. We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we back. [179] Thousands then paid their respects during the public lying-in-repose at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. In 2008, Franklin issued the holiday album This Christmas, Aretha on DMI Records. [32], During this time, Franklin would occasionally travel with the Soul Stirrers. Aretha Franklin's first marriage was to Ted White. Seated behind the piano, wearing a black fur coat and Lions stocking cap, Franklin gave a rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" that lasted more than four minutes and featured a host of improvisations. In case you never noticed, the singer always had her . As a songwriter, White wrote or co-wrote songs for Franklin, including "I Wonder (Where You Are Tonight . She was introduced to Theodore "Ted" White by fellow singer Della Reese. Franklin recorded 112 charted singles on the US Billboard charts, including 73 Hot 100 entries, 17 top-ten pop singles, 100 R&B entries and 20 number-one R&B singles. Now at 49, Wayans says as he looks toward the second half of his life he thinks, "Yeah, I probably got one in me. They called each other sweetie. When was Aretha Franklin and Glynn Turman's wedding and how long were Remembering Aretha Franklin: RIP 1942-2018 [The Queen of Soul dies aged On an ABC promo aired on July 27, 2010, announcing Franklin and, Rev. Jasper Williams Jr. of Salem Baptist Church in Atlanta, as he had eulogized her father as well as speaking at other family memorials. Take a look back at Aretha Franklin's life, as she tells it through a . Other gospel greats of the dayAlbertina Walker and Jackie Verdellhelped shape young Franklins style. [citation needed], Working with Wexler and Atlantic, Franklin had become "the most successful singer in the nation" by 1968. Aretha told me she could use it on one condition: only if I drove. From that first session, Today I Sing the Blues (1960) remains a classic. [135] She married actor Glynn Turman, on April 11, 1978, at her father's church. [104] On June 8, 2017, the City of Detroit honored Franklin's legacy by renaming a portion of Madison Street, between Brush and Witherell Streets, Aretha Franklin Way. I Never Loved a Man (the Way I Love You) (1967), recorded at Fame Studios in Florence, Alabama, was her first million-seller. [citation needed], In 1980, after leaving Atlantic Records,[75] Franklin signed with Clive Davis's Arista Records. Both stations were originally named after other people. [165], In February 2017, Franklin announced in an interview with local Detroit television anchor Evrod Cassimy, that 2017 would be her final year touring. "There will be no wedding at this time.". [180] The August 31 Homegoing Service held at Greater Grace Temple in Detroit, included multiple tributes by celebrities, politicians, friends and family members and was streamed by some news agencies[181] such as Fox News, CNN, The Word Network, BET and MSNBC. [35], Franklin and her father traveled to California, where she met singer Sam Cooke. They separated in 1982 partially due to the strain of maintaining a long-distance relationship and officially divorced in 1984. Who are Aretha Franklin's children and where are they now? C.L. I dont think Ree was built for long-term romantic commitment. At the age of 18, she was signed as a recording artist for Columbia Records. Franklin and Turman separated in 1982 after she returned to Michigan from California and they divorced in 1984. By the mid-1960s, Franklin was making $100,000 per year from countless performances in nightclubs and theaters. She attended Northern High School. In my fifth or sixth month, I dropped out of school. [177] Civil rights activist and minister Al Sharpton called her a "civil rights and humanitarian icon". Franklin's cover of "Rolling in the Deep" was featured among nine other songs in her first RCA release, Aretha Franklin Sings the Great Diva Classics, released in October 2014. American history wells up when Aretha sings. As a child, Franklin was noticed for her gospel singing at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, where her father C. L. Franklin was a minister. [125] Franklin did not like to discuss her early pregnancies with interviewers. [158], In May 2013, Franklin canceled two performances because of an undisclosed medical treatment. Franklin separated from White in 1968 and after she was married to actor Glynn Turman in 1978. On November 18, 2008, she performed "Respect" and "Chain of Fools" at Dancing with the Stars. [145], Franklin was a Christian and was a registered Democrat. The tribute concluded with a rendition of her 1968 hit, "A Natural Woman (You Make Me Feel Like)", performed by Fantasia Barrino-Taylor, Andra Day and Yolanda Adams. [199] Franklin was the first individual woman to receive a Pulitzer Prize Special Citation. [36] At the age of 16, Franklin went on tour with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and she would ultimately sing at his funeral in 1968. The Queen of Soul: 10 Unbelievable Facts About Aretha Franklin - TheTalko [41] During this period, Franklin would be coached by choreographer Cholly Atkins to prepare for her pop performances. Franklin felt the label was not yet established enough, and he turned Gordy down. Her main commitment is to her music. Per David Ritz's Respect: The Life of Aretha Franklin, they first met in 1954 at a party, and White had a reputation as something of a smooth operator. In 1960 Franklin transitioned from sacred to secular music. How Aretha Franklin's tragic life made her a demanding diva - New York Post Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. [208] The next year, Billboard named her the greatest female R&B artist of all time. "[188][189] Following a telecast procession up Seven Mile Road, Franklin was interred at Woodlawn Cemetery in Detroit. Ted Jr. who is also a musician became known as Teddy Richards. [224][225], During the American Music Awards on October 9, 2018, the show was closed by bringing Gladys Knight, Donnie McClurkin, Ledisi, Cece Winans, and Mary Mary together to pay tribute to Aretha Franklin. Aretha Franklin and Her First Husband, Ted White, Were Once Compared to But, as her Detroit friends on the Motown label enjoyed hit after hit, Franklin struggled to achieve crossover success. [11] Both Mr. and Mrs. Franklin had children from prior relationships in addition to the four children they had together. Wayans has two children with Angela Zackery: 21-year-old daughter . Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, has died | CNN Aretha Franklin's ex-husband wants cut of her estate - Detroit Free Press Aretha Franklin - Songs, Movie & Death - Biography Years after divorcing White, Aretha Franklin married actor Glenn Turman in 1978. Aretha was married to her second husband, actor Glynn Turman, from 1978 to 1984. He said he had an opportunity to spend time with his ex Aretha before her death. Editor's note: The following article is an op-ed and the views expressed are the author's own. Barbara Siggers was born in Shelby, Mississippi in 1917 (per The Sun).According to Smooth Radio, she married pastor C.L. [43], In November 1966, Franklin's Columbia recording contract expired; at that time, she owed the company money because record sales had not met expectations. .css-ssumvd{display:block;font-family:Gilroy,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:1.0625rem;font-weight:bold;line-height:1.25;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-ssumvd:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-ssumvd{letter-spacing:0rem;margin-top:0.9375rem;}}Gayle King Interviews Angela Bassett, Gayle Says March Is a Good Month for TV Lovers, Sheryl Lee Ralphs Definition of True Love, What We Know About The Little Mermaid Remake, Oprah Congratulates Kimmel on 20 Years of His Show, Nikole Hannah-Jones on "The 1619 Project", Ta-Nehisi Coates on the Wakanda Forever Podcast, Oprah Is Acting in Tyler Perrys Next Netflix Film. But who is Turman and where is he now? Somebody else is making her sing the blues., Over the years, other reports have backed up the Time allegations. Does Aretha Franklin Have Children? Meet Her Four Sons - Oprah Daily The album featured her first single to chart the Billboard Hot 100, "Won't Be Long", which also peaked at number 7 on the R&B chart. Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images. [202] That same year, she was ranked 19th among the Billboard Hot 100 All-Time top artists.[203][204]. Aretha Franklin's Husbands: What to Know About Her Real - Distractify They were together for eight years until 1969. Franklin and White, who was also her manager, married in 1961 when she was just 19 years old; but after seven years of marriage, they separated in 1968. Franklin and Turman, who had no children together, separated in 1982 and divorced in 1984. [117], On August 13, 2018, Franklin was reported to be gravely ill at her home in Riverfront Towers, Detroit. [151] She again lost weight in the early 1990s, before gaining some back. Aretha Franklin died at 9.50am on Thursday aged 76, surrounded by family after battle with pancreatic cancer Glynn Turman, who was married to Franklin from 1978 to 1984, was joined by Stevie . Franklin] had a 1961 Continental, you know, with the suicide doors. Cecil Franklin. He shares a daughter Stephanie Turman with her first wife, Ula M. Walker. (1942-2018) Who Was Aretha Franklin? [136] Franklins father and idol, described as unorthodox on every level, knowingly preyed on his pre-teen congregants. Aretha Franklin's former lover, Willie Wilkerson, dies of - TheGrio [127] Franklin would visit them often. [26][27], Just after her mother's death, Franklin began singing solos at New Bethel, debuting with the hymn "Jesus, Be a Fence Around Me". Aretha Franklin's former love interest and longtime friend, Willie Wilkerson, Jr. has died from the COVID-19 virus at the age of 72. . [70] Originally released in June 1972, Amazing Grace sold more than twomillion copies,[71] and is one of best-selling gospel albums of all time. It got bizarre.". They had a special relationship.". Aretha Franklin was married twice in her life, with her second marriage only lasting a couple of years. Following an incident in 1984, she cited a fear of flying that prevented her from traveling overseas; she performed only in North America afterwards. Her father, Clarence L. Franklin, was a Baptist minister, and her mother, Barbara, a musician. White, for his part, didnt exactly have a clean record, most notably with police looking for him after he allegedly shot an associate in the groin at Franklins home. [97] In doing so, she became the first woman to have 100 songs on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart with the success of her cover of Adele's "Rolling in the Deep", which debuted at number 47 on the chart. But the lyrics for one of her first big hits may have struck closer to her heart than many realized. [citation needed] After Jerry Wexler left Atlantic for Warner Bros. Records in 1976, Franklin worked on the soundtrack to the film Sparkle with Curtis Mayfield. [237] The season, starring Cynthia Erivo as Franklin, was aired in March 2021. How did Aretha Franklin start her career in music? [30] In 1956, J.V.B. [113] Franklin's voice was described as being a "powerful mezzo-soprano voice". Notably, all three of Turman's children have pursued his footsteps.