The Tony Award-winning actress spoke to BET.com about portraying Barbara Franklin, who died when Aretha was just 10 years old. Other gospel greats of the dayAlbertina Walker and Jackie Verdellhelped shape young Franklins style. Franklin performed alongside Loyiso, Suzanna Owiyo, Josh Groban, Susan Sarandon, Lil' Kim, and Stevie Wonder during the Mandela Day: A 46664 Celebration Concert. Instead, his connection was to her music. WebPhoto of Aretha FRANKLIN; Posed portrait of Aretha Franklin American soul singer Aretha Franklin performs live on stage at the New Victoria Theatre in London in 1980. Franklin put on a new hat in 1980 when she made a cameo in the iconic comedy film The Blues Brothers. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. In one of her final public appearances, Franklin gave a stunning performance during the "Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives" Premiere Concert during the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival at Radio City Music Hall. 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. Ferrell, speaking in hushed tones outside the room where Franklin is interred alongside her father,told the Free Press that she was friends with Aretha's sister. 25, 1942. Arethas youngest son Kecalf is a Christian rapper. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. Al Sharpton. #shenanigans with @courtneylove and @brettrat, A photo posted by Mariah Carey (@mariahcarey) on Mar 22, 2015 at 9:46pm PDT. She married Ted in 1961 at the age of 19, and he also served as her manager for a while. Aretha Franklin passed away this morning, surrounded by family, after a long battle with cancer. A reluctant interviewee, Franklin kept her private life private, claiming that the popular perception associating her with the unhappiness of singers Bessie Smith and Billie Holiday was misinformed. Ted and the singer divorced in 1969 after reports of domestic abuse surfaced, and a 1968 Time article described how White roughed her up more than once. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. Aretha Franklin and Mary J. Blige performed on the 'VH1 Divas Live: The One and Only Aretha Franklin' at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. INTERVIEW: Audra McDonald Explains What She Did To Connect Each room on the mausoleum's bottom floor, where Aretha is entombed, is made of a different color marble. Please try again later. GREAT NEWS! Critics recognized her talent, but the public remained lukewarm until 1966, when she switched to Atlantic Records, where producer Jerry Wexler allowed her to sculpt her own musical identity. For more on the life, legacy and loss of Aretha Franklin, pick up the new issue of PEOPLE, on newsstands Friday. In 1987 Franklin became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In her early teens and as her career as a gospel singer was just revving up, Franklin mothered two sons, never to reveal the identities of their fathers. Franklin presided over the New Bethel Baptist Church of Detroit, Michigan, and was an influential minister known nationally. Her father, C.L. Michael Ochs Archives/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Franklin and White married in 1961 when she was 19 and he was reportedly 30 after a few months of dating. The experience was a little different for Calvin Jackson, 69, of Indian Village. Posing for a portrait in a glittery ensemble. The film is directed by Tony Award nominee Liesl Tommy, and features some of Franklins most popular songs including I Say a Little Prayer, and the Otis Redding classic, Respect., RELATED: INTERVIEW: Jennifer Hudson Shares Details About Her Greatest Challenge Playing Aretha Franklin In RESPECT. Photos from Aretha Franklin: A Life in Pictures - E! Online #aretha #longlivethequeen A photo posted by Lee Daniels (@theoriginalbigdaddy) on Mar 22, 2015 at 7:03pm PDT Related Stories (Show more) 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. Franklins mother, Barbara, was a gospel singer and pianist. Her musical talents were apparent at an extremely young age and many considered Franklin a child prodigy. Inside the Amazing, Private Life of Aretha Franklin ', 2021 Emmys: Cynthia Erivo Says Telling Aretha Franklin's Story in 'Genius: Aretha' Was a 'Huge Honor', Jennifer Hudson Sparkles in a Purple Dolce & Gabbana Gown with Matching Veil at 'Respect' Premiere, PEOPLE Celebrates Aretha Franklin in a New Special Edition, Cynthia Erivo on Honoring the 'Brillant' Aretha Franklin in Upcoming TV Biopic, Ronnie Spector's Husband Recalls the Rock Icon Ahead of Revamped Memoir: 'You Can Go Through Hell and Survive', pancreatic cancer of the neuroendocrine type, Stevie Wonder and the Reverend Jesse Jackson. Please reset your password. See an exhibit on Aretha Franklin, and the Janis Joplin's famous psychedelic 1965 Porsche at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Franklin performed a stunning rendition of the National Anthem on the 2003 "NFL Kickoff Live from the National Mall." Sister Ree's Scrapbook - An Aretha Franklin Photo Gallery - More