Remembering Aretha Franklin
The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, has died at age 76. This week, Jim and Greg celebrate the life and career of the legend. They'll discuss her discography, music, activism, and impact.
Remembering Aretha Franklin
On Thursday, August 16, Aretha Franklin, "The Queen of Soul," died at the age of 76 in Detroit, her hometown. As an 18-time Grammy recipient, the first woman to be inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, and one of the best-selling artists of all time, Franklin's achievements are staggering. But her legacy can't be quantified by mere numbers: Her remarkable discography—defined by that stunning four-octave voice—included songs that became anthems for social change. Gospel critic Anthony Heilbut once asserted that Franklin's role in the Civil Rights Movement was such that "a history of black America could well be divided into pre- and post-Aretha." Jim and Greg trace her extraordinary career, from her start singing in Detroit's New Bethel Baptist Church (where her father was a star preacher) to being signed with Columbia and Atlantic Records, to zeitgeist-defining performances at the 1998 Grammy Awards, Barack Obama's 2009 Presidential Inauguration, and the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors.
Featured Songs
- Aretha Franklin, "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man," I Never Loved a Man the Way I Loved You, Atlantic, 1967
- Aretha Franklin, "Wholy Holy," Amazing Grace, Atlantic, 1972
- Aretha Franklin, "Ain't No Way," Lady Soul, Atlantic, 1968
- The Soul Stirrers, "Peace in the Valley," Peace In The Valley (single), Specialty, 1951
- Aretha Franklin, "There is a Fountain Filled With Blood," Aretha Gospel, Geffen, 1991
- Aretha Franklin, "Drown In My Own Tears," I Never Loved a Man the Way I Loved You, Atlantic, 1967
- Aretha Franklin, "Runnin' Out of Fools," Runnin' Out of Fools, Columbia, 1964
- Aretha Franklin, "Soulville," Unforgettable: A Tribute to Dinah Washington, Columbia, 1964
- Aretha Franklin, "Lee Cross," Take a Look, Columbia, 1967
- Aretha Franklin, "Nobody Knows the Way I Feel This Morning," Unforgettable: A Tribute to Dinah Washington, Columbia, 1964
- Aretha Franklin, "Baby, I Love You," Aretha Arrives, Atlantic, 1967
- Aretha Franklin, "While the Blood Runs Warm," Songs of Faith, JBV/Battle, 1956
- King Curtis, "Memphis Soul Stew," I Never Loved a Man the Way I Loved You, Atlantic, 1967
- Aretha Franklin, "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)," Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul, Volt/Atco, 1965
- Aretha Franklin, "People Get Ready," Aretha Now, Atlantic, 1968
- Aretha Franklin, "Respect," Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul, Volt/Atco, 1965
- Otis Redding, "Respect," Otis Blue/Otis Redding Sings Soul, Volt/Atco, 1965
- Aretha Franklin, "Think," Aretha Now, Atlantic, 1968
- Aretha Franklin, "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," Lady Soul, Atlantic, 1968
- Aretha Franklin, "Spirit in the Dark," Spirit in the Dark, Atlantic, 1970
- Aretha Franklin, "Bridge Over Troubled Water (Live)," Aretha Live at Fillmore West, Atlantic, 1971
- Aretha Franklin, "Nessun Dorma (Live at the 1998 Grammy Awards)," Jewels In The Crown: All Star Duets With The Queen, Arista, 2007
- Aretha Franklin, "Surely God Is Able (Live)," One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, Arista, 1987
- Aretha Franklin, "Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)," Let Me in Your Life, Atlantic, 1974
- Aretha Franklin, "Climbing Higher Mountains," Amazing Grace, Atlantic, 1972
- Aretha Franklin, "Mary, Don't You Weep," Amazing Grace, Atlantic, 1972
- The Rolling Stones, "Shine a Light," Exile on Main St., Rolling Stones, 1972
- Aretha Franklin, "You'll Never Walk Alone," Amazing Grace, Atlantic, 1972
- The Staple Singers, "I'll Take You There," Be Altitude: Respect Yourself, Stax, 1972
- Aretha Franklin, "Amazing Grace," Amazing Grace, Atlantic, 1972
- Aretha Franklin, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," Amazing Grace, Atlantic, 1972
- Aretha Franklin, "Young, Gifted and Black," Young, Gifted and Black, Atlantic, 1972
- Roxy Music, "End of the Line," Siren, Atco, 1975
- Roxy Music, "Re-Make/Re-Model," Roxy Music, Reprise, Atco, 1972
- Roxy Music, "The Bob (Medley)," Roxy Music, Reprise, Atco, 1972
- Roxy Music, "Ladytron," Roxy Music, Reprise, Atco, 1972
- Roxy Music, "Avalon," Avalon, E.G. Records/Polydor, 1982
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