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Aretha Franklin

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Aretha Franklin: Biography

Aretha Franklin

Birth Name: Aretha Louise Franklin
Birth Place: Memphis, TN
Date of Birth / Zodiac Sign: 03/25/1942, Aries
Profession: Singer; songwriter

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Aretha Franklin Fast Facts:

At 14, she performed and recorded "Precious Lord" before her father's congregation, Detroit's New Bethel Baptist Church.
Columbia Records released her first album, The Great Aretha Franklin, in 1960.
In 1972, she had a small role in the TV show Room 222.
Made her film debut in 1980's The Blues Brothers, singing "Think."
In 1986, Michigan law makers declared her voice the state's greatest natural resource.
In 1987, she was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
In 1994, she was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.
In 2005, President George W. Bush awarded her the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
In 2006, she became the first female artist to be honored by the United Negro College Fund with the Award of Excellence.
Sang at the inauguration of President Barack Obama in 2009.
Has been awarded honorary doctorates from Berklee College of Music, Yale University and the University of Pennsylvania.

Aretha Franklin Relationships:
Barbara Siggers Franklin - Mother
Carolyn Franklin - Sister
Cecil Franklin - Brother
Clarence Franklin - Son
Edward Franklin - Son
Erma Franklin - Sister
Glynn Turman - Ex-husband
Kecalf - Son
Ken Cunningham - Ex-significant Other
C.L. Franklin - Father
Ted White - Ex-husband
Teddy Richards - Son
Vaughan Franklin - Brother
William Wilkerson - Ex-fiancé
Aretha Franklin Awards:
1967 Grammy: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance - Winner
1968 Grammy: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance - Winner
1969 Grammy: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance - Winner
1970 Grammy: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance - Winner
1971 Grammy: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance - Winner
1972 Grammy: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance - Winner
1973 Grammy: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance - Winner
1974 Grammy: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance - Winner
1981 Grammy: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance - Winner
1985 Grammy: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance - Winner
1987 Grammy: Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female - Winner
1987 Grammy: Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals - Winner
1967 Grammy: Best Rhythm & Blues Recording - Winner
1972 Grammy: Best Soul Gospel Performance - Winner
1988 Grammy: Best Soul Gospel Performance, Female - Winner
2003 Grammy: Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance - Winner
2005 Grammy: Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance - Winner
2007 Grammy: Best Gospel Performance - Winner

Photos

Hugh Jackman, Aretha Franklin Stephen Lovekin/WireImage.com

kid rock, aretha franklin Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com

Aretha Franklin, Aaron Neville, Super Bowl XL Pregame Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com

more Aretha Franklin photos (4 total photos)

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