Remembering Aretha Franklin

Aretha Louise Franklin was born March 25, 1942, in Memphis, Tennessee to Barbara “Babs” and Clarence LaVaughn “C. L.” Franklin. She was delivered in the family home by a midwife, Prissy. CL was a Baptist minister and Babs was an accomplished piano player and vocalist. The family moved to Buffalo then settled in Detroit when Aretha was 5.

Aretha’s mother died on March 7, 1952, before Aretha’s 10th birthday. Several women, including Aretha’s grandmother, Rachel, and Mahalia Jackson, took turns helping with the children at the Franklin home. During this time, Aretha learned how to play piano by ear. However, this hurt her ear so she switched to using her hands to play.

Million Dollar Voice

Aretha’s father’s emotionally driven sermons resulted in his being known as the man with the “million-dollar voice”. He earned thousands of dollars for sermons in various churches across the country. His celebrity status led to his home being visited by various celebrities. Among the visitors were gospel musicians Clara Ward and James Cleveland. Martin Luther King Jr., Jackie Wilson, Nat King Cole, Harry Belafonte and Sam Cooke all became friends of C. L. Franklin, as well.

Aretha Franklin Illustration By Paul King Art

After turning 18, Franklin confided to her father that she aspired to follow Sam Cooke in recording pop music, and moved to New York and signed with Columbia. In January 1961, Columbia issued Franklin’s first album, Aretha: With The Ray Bryant Combo. The album featured her first single to chart the Billboard Hot 100, “Won’t Be Long”, which also peaked at number 7 on the R&B chart. In November 1966, Franklin’s Columbia recording contract expired and she signed with Atlantic. The rest is history, “Respect”, “Chain of Fool”, “Think”, “Say a Little Prayer”, “Spanish Harlem” and “Natural Woman”.

Who Shot CL?

Franklin was married twice and was the mother of four sons. She first became pregnant at the age of 12 and gave birth to her first child, named Clarence on January 28, 1955. Twelve!? What the heck is going on here? I do believe an investigation is in order here. Aretha’s father CL was shot in an attempted robbery on June 10, 1979. He exchanged gunfire with the criminals and ended up shot in the knee and groin. 4 people were arrested. CL ended up dying 5 years later.

Aretha died on August 16, 2018, at the age of 76. She was a legend and beloved by all. Franklin helped define the American experience and left a lasting legacy. She influenced anyone that ever sang. She was The Queen of Soul and will always be remembered. Thank you for the music. Cheers Miss Franklin.