The musical world suffered a tragic loss on August 16, 2018. At the age of 76, “The Queen Of Soul” , Aretha Franklin, passed away. She died of advanced pancreatic cancer her publicist confirmed. Aretha was the first woman to ever be inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.

Born in Memphis, Tennessee on March 25, 1942 was born into a religious family. Her father’s name was Reverend C.L. Franklin, and her mother’s was Barbara Siggers Franklin. While her father was a Baptist preacher, Aretha’s mother was a gospel singer. Her family relocated to Detroit, MI when her father founded a Baptist church. When she was only six years old, her parent’s separated because of her father’s promiscuity. Her mother moved to Buffalo, NY. She lived with her mother until the age of ten, when her mother died. She and her siblings were taken care of by their grandmother and aunts.

Aretha started to learn how to play the piano at a young age, teaching herself how to do so. It is known that her first songs were recorded in the church at the age of fourteen. Her dad saw that she was talented at singing, and wanted to help her turn it into a career. He turned into her manager, and sought out a record deal for her. She first signed with J.V.B. Records label in 1956, and released her first album, “Songs of Faith”. This is where it all started.

Aretha was on the top of soul, gospel, and many other genres, from the early 60’s until the late 90’s. She started to a reprise from music around this time and released one album after that until 2004..  Aretha started to release albums yearly until 2009, securing herself a spot to perform at President Barack Obama’s Inaugural Ceremony.

She made one more album from 2010 – 2013. She was honored by Yale University, receiving a degree from Yale. Franklin was signed with RCA Records until she succumbed to her illness on August 16, 2018. Aretha’s musical legacy will be remembered for centuries.