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Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin

Photo: Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images

News
Aretha Franklin, Queen Of Soul, Dies At 76 aretha-franklin-queen-soul-dies-76

Aretha Franklin, Queen Of Soul, Dies At 76

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The legendary soul singer and 18-time GRAMMY winner made an indelible mark on music
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Aug 16, 2018 - 9:00 am

Aretha Franklin, a legendary and deeply influential R&B artist, died on Aug. 16 at age 76. The cause was of advanced pancreatic cancer.

Aretha Franklin's GRAMMY Highlights

Franklin was the daughter of two gospel singers and began singing and playing piano at a young age. As a teenager she started singing in the choir at the church where her father preached and recorded backup vocals on her father's gospel albums. In 1961, at the age of 18, she was signed to Columbia Records and released her first album, Aretha.

In 1967, just six years after her debut album, she started garnering widespread acclaim and began her reign as the original R&B queen with her hit album I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You. The album included her iconic cover of Otis Redding's "Respect," for which she earned her first No. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100, and her first two GRAMMY wins for Best R&B Recording and Best R&B Solo Vocal Performance, Female at the 10th GRAMMY Awards.

Franklin would go on to earn a total of 44 GRAMMY nominations and a historic 18 wins in her lifetime. Her total wins make her one of the most awarded GRAMMY artists of all time. She graced the GRAMMY stage with her legendary soulful sound a total of eight times, putting her in a tie with Whitney Houston as the runner up for the most GRAMMY performances by a female artist.

In addition to her many GRAMMY Awards, she has been honored by The Recording Academy on multiple occasions. Franklin received the GRAMMY Legend Award in 1991, which is presented "to individuals or groups for ongoing contributions and influence in the recording field," and is one of just 15 artists to receive this special award since its inception in 1990. She was also honored by the Academy with the Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994. On top of that, five of her recordings have been inducted into the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame: "Respect," "Chain Of Fools," "Amazing Grace," "A Natural Woman (You Make Me Feel Like)," and "I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You." 

Not only did Franklin make monumental contributions to the music world during her lifetime, she also helped make the world a better place outside of the music she made. She supported several charities and advocacy organizations including the NAACP, the Special Olympics, Feeding America, The Rainforest Foundation, and the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes. In 2005 President Clinton awarded her with The Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honor in the U.S. The Recording Academy also acknowledged her huge positive impact on the world, honoring her as the 2008 MusiCares Person of the Year.

Franklin and her prolific musical career have had a far-reaching influence on musicians over the years and across genres, with many offering their condolences for the Queen of Soul. Following a hospitalization in 2010, the 53rd GRAMMY Awards featured special performances as part of an Aretha Franklin Tribute, with artists such as fellow GRAMMY-winners Jennifer Hudson and Christina Aguilera covering her hits to honor the legend.

Franklin was truly influential throughout her life, most recently celebrating her 100th chart-topping single with her cover of Adele's "Rolling In The Deep." With the release of the single in 2014, she became the first female artist to place 100 career titles on the Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and remains in the lead, tied with Stevie Wonder and ahead of Drake, for the most No. 1 singles on the chart with 20 total.

"Aretha Franklin was an incomparable artist who came to be recognized as one of the most profound voices in music," said Neil Portnow, President and CEO of the Recording Academy. "Her distinctive sound, unforgettable recordings, and giving spirit will continue to be celebrated worldwide. Aretha will be dearly missed, and our thoughts go out to her loved ones during this difficult time."  

Thanks to her long, outstanding career and her deep impact in the soul, R&B, and pop music worlds, Franklin leaves a legacy that will continue to inspire artists for generations to come. 

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Aretha Franklin at the 36th GRAMMY Awards

Aretha Franklin at the 1994 GRAMMYs

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Watch Aretha Franklin Perform "A Natural Woman" grammy-rewind-watch-aretha-franklin-perform-natural-woman-36th-grammy-awards

GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Aretha Franklin Perform "A Natural Woman" At The 36th GRAMMY Awards

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The Queen Of Soul was honored with the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award that same year, in 1994
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Feb 14, 2020 - 10:00 am

In 2018, the music world was shaken by the loss of one of its barrier-breaking godmothers, the one and only Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin.

Below, in the latest edition of GRAMMY Rewind, you can watch Franklin stun the audience at the 36th GRAMMY Awards in 1994, the same year she was honored with the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award.

Donning a regal all-white look, Franklin commanded the stage with a powerhouse performance of her 1967 GRAMMY-nominated hit, "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman."

More: Watch Aretha Franklin Accept Best R&B Vocal Performance At The 14th GRAMMY Awards | GRAMMY Rewind

During her illustrious career, the "Respect" singer took home 18 GRAMMY Awards and performed at the show eight times. She received her first GRAMMY nominations at the 10th GRAMMY Awards in 1968, including Best Contemporary Female Solo Vocal Performance for "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," and three nods for "Respect." The latter classic saw her earn her first two golden gramophones, including Best Rhythm & Blues Recording.

Additionally, Franklin received the Recording Academy's GRAMMY Legend Award in 1991 and was also honored as the 2008 MusiCares Person of the Year. Five of her recordings now live in the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame: "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman," "Respect," "Chain Of Fools," "Amazing Grace" and "I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You."

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GRAMMY Rewind: Watch Gladys Knight & The Pips Perform "Midnight Train To Georgia" At The 16th GRAMMY Awards

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Aretha Franklin

Photo: ABC Photo Archives/Getty Images

Poll
What's Your Favorite Aretha Franklin Song? celebrating-queen-soul-whats-your-favorite-aretha-franklin-song

Celebrating The Queen Of Soul: What's Your Favorite Aretha Franklin Song?

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The legendary R&B singer lives on in our hearts – how have you been showing your "Respect" to the Queen?
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Aug 31, 2018 - 12:30 pm

The world has been mourning the loss of the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, since her passing earlier this month, and today many are honoring her life, including fellow GRAMMY winners Stevie Wonder and Smokey Robinson, at her funeral service in Detroit. The iconic GRAMMY winner will be deeply missed, but her memory will live on forever in her amazing body of music. As we pay our "Respect" and celebrate her life, her music and the path she paved for so many after her, which of her classic songs is most dear to your heart?

Polls

Which Classic Aretha Franklin Song Is Your Favorite?

While it may be hard for you to choose a personal favorite, arguably Franklin's most popular and recognizable song is "Respect" – it has even made a reappearance on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart since her passing. The song was originally written and performed by GRAMMY winner Otis Redding. Her version, which she released in 1967 on I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You, garnered national attention and gave her the first of many No. 1 hits on the Billboard charts, as well as her first two GRAMMY wins at the 10th GRAMMY Awards. The title track from that album is another one of her soulful classics, in fact, "I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You," "Respect," "Chain Of Fools," "A Natural Woman (You Make Me Feel Like)" and "Amazing Grace," have all been inducted into the GRAMMY Hall Of Fame.

But don't forget about "I Say A Little Prayer" and "Think," originally released on Aretha Now in 1968 – upbeat, powerful tracks that showcase Franklin's amazing vocal range. Both singles have been included on countless movie soundtracks over the years, and will surely be in the soundtracks of our lives for years to come.

Franklin was truly an icon in every sense of the word, with her career spanning decades and earning her many accolades, including a total of 44 GRAMMY nominations and a historic 18 wins, making her one of the most awarded GRAMMY artists of all time. On top of that, she was given the GRAMMY Legend Award in 1991, one of just 15 artists to receive this special honor, and also received the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994. She is truly a star that will shine bright beyond her years on earth.

Queen Latifah

Queen Latifah

Photo: Manny Carabel/Getty Images

News
Queen Latifah To Host Black Girls Rock Awards queen-latifah-host-star-studded-black-girls-rock-awards

Queen Latifah To Host Star-Studded Black Girls Rock Awards

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The rapper/singer/actress extraordinaire will lead the evening celebrating the achievements of an inspiring group of women
Ana Monroy Yglesias
GRAMMYs
Aug 22, 2018 - 12:51 pm

GRAMMY winner and all-around superstar Queen Latifah has been tapped to host the 2018 Black Girls Rock! Awards, which will honor an equally amazing cohort of women, including fellow GRAMMY-winning songstress Mary J. Blige, iconic supermodel Naomi Campbell, pioneering dancer/choreographer Judith Jamison, and #MeToo founder Tarana Burke.

https://twitter.com/BLACKGIRLSROCK/status/1030865096036306945

All Hail the queens! #BLACKGIRLSROCK! Sept 9 at 8/7c! #WeAreRoyal pic.twitter.com/jK6Rz2ouBD

— BLACK GIRLS ROCK! (@BLACKGIRLSROCK) August 18, 2018

The evening will also showcase a special tribute to the late GRAMMY-winning legend Aretha Franklin, featuring GRAMMY winner Yolanda Adams, GRAMMY nominee Tamia, up-and-comers H.E.R. and Victory Boyd, and Jacqueline Green of the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater. 

The inspirational star-studded event has been taking place since 2006 and is hosted by Black Girls Rock!, a non-profit "committed to empowering women through media and enriching girls through leadership, education, and positive identity development programs."

Latifah is no stranger to awards shows, nor to holding the role of master of ceremonies – she hosted the 47th GRAMMY Awards. She has been nominated for GRAMMYs in rap, jazz and pop categories and took home a win for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 37th GRAMMY Awards.

The awards event will take place on Aug. 26 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and will air on BET the following week on Sept. 9.

Catching Up On Music News Powered By The Recording Academy Just Got Easier. Have A Google Home Device? "Talk To GRAMMYs"

Rick Hall at the 56th GRAMMY Awards in 2014

Rick Hall

Photo: Steve Granitz/WireImage.com

News
Famed Muscle Shoals Producer Rick Hall Dies rick-hall-muscle-shoals-sound-producer-dies

Rick Hall: "Muscle Shoals Sound" Producer Dies

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Legendary producer behind Fame Recording Studios in Muscle Shoals, Ala., dies at age 85
Tim McPhate
GRAMMYs
Jan 2, 2018 - 3:53 pm

Producer Rick Hall, who co-founded the iconic Fame Recording Studios in Alabama in the late 1950s and worked with stars such as Aretha Franklin, George Jones and Wilson Pickett, died Jan. 2 following a prolonged bout with cancer. He was 85 years old. 

2014 Special Merit Awards Ceremony Highlights

Considered the "Father of Muscle Shoals music," Hall established Fame Studios as a sought-after recording destination in the 1960s and 1970s, churning out classic recordings such as Franklin's "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)," Pickett's "Land Of A Thousand Dances" and Etta James' Tell Mama, among others. 

In addition to iconic R&B artists such as Pickett, Franklin, James, and Otis Redding, Hall helmed recordings for pop artists such as Paul Anka, Tom Jones and the Osmonds, among others. Earlier in his career, he had songs recorded by the likes of Jones, Brenda Lee and Roy Orbison.

The Mississippi-born Hall received a GRAMMY nomination for Producer Of The Year at the 17th GRAMMY Awards in 1974.

The career trajectory of Hall and the musical legacy of Fame Studios was captured for posterity in the acclaimed 2013 documentary, Muscle Shoals. The historic studio, which is still in operation today, was the home for the recording of Gregg Allman's posthumous GRAMMY-nominated LP, 2017's Southern Blood.

In 2014 Hall was honored with the Recording Academy Trustees Award in recognition of his impactful career. 

"I can't possibly tell you how this affects me," GRAMMY winner John Paul White said regarding Hall's passing via Twitter. "This is the architect of the sound that made me the artist and writer I am today."

"Rick will be deeply missed, but his countless recordings and remarkable career achievements will continue to be celebrated for decades to come," said Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow. "Our thoughts are with his collaborators, family, and friends during this difficult time." 

Alicia Keys Pays Tribute To Rick Hall

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Some of the content on this site expresses viewpoints and opinions that are not those of the Recording Academy. Responsibility for the accuracy of information provided in stories not written by or specifically prepared for the Academy lies with the story's original source or writer. Content on this site does not reflect an endorsement or recommendation of any artist or music by the Recording Academy.