Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin 1942 -
All I’m askin’
Is for a little respect when you come home
After winning eight consecutive Grammy’s for “Best Female R&B Vocal Performance” from 1968 – 1975, Aretha Franklin had earned the R-E-S-P-E-C-T of all music fans. Her accolades could fill the Grand Canyon. Following the eight-year reign atop the music world, Aretha earned another five Grammy’s for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance, and a combined six in other categories.
When Aretha wasn’t winning Grammy’s she was being nominated for them, 14 in total. From 1968 – 1995, there were only five years when Aretha didn't win or get nominated for a Grammy award. The music world had never seen one individual enjoy that much success for so long. Aretha owned the 70s and 80s but still remained relevant in the 90s.
Her soul didn’t make her special; neither did her power, her voice, her passion, her range, her creativity, or her undying faith. No, what made Aretha Franklin, Aretha Franklin, was her ability to harness her soul, power, voice, passion, range, creativity, and faith into one body. It made for rocking concerts and inspired generations of singers to test the waters of their true ability.
In 1987 Aretha Franklin became the first female inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Whoever said angels can’t sing, never heard Aretha sing “Bridge Over Troubled Water,” “Amazing Grace,” or “I Can’t See Myself Leaving You.” Most challenging is to listen to Aretha without succumbing to emotions and the tears that will inevitably flow from hearing her angelic voice penetrate your heart. Aretha could sing the Wendy’s menu and leave an audience spellbound. She belted to the heavens.
Her voice could carry from the top of Mt. Everest down to the base and surrounding cities. The music category of soul may have existed before Aretha ever walked onto a stage, but soul was born in Aretha Franklin’s bosom.
