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Music
The evolution of Aretha Franklin

The evolution of Aretha Franklin

By Seija Rankin

March 25, 2018 at 09:00 AM EDT

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Aretha Franklin through the years

Nothing makes us feel more natural than praising the awesomeness of Aretha Franklin. Today marks her 76th birthday, and what a ride it’s been. The singer was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1942 and released her first album, Song of Faith, in 1956. She’s had an enviable career that has included and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a Presidential Medal of Freedom, and a host of gold and platinum albums. R-E-S-P-E-C-T indeed. Click on to see memorable moments from her life and career.

Afro American Newspapers/Gado/Getty Images

Nothing makes us feel more natural than praising the awesomeness of Aretha Franklin. Today marks her 76th birthday, and what a ride it’s been. The singer was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1942 and released her first album, Song of Faith, in 1956. She’s had an enviable career that has included and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a Presidential Medal of Freedom, and a host of gold and platinum albums. R-E-S-P-E-C-T indeed. Click on to see memorable moments from her life and career.

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2 of 23

Signing a contract with Atlantic Records in 1966

Signing a contract with Atlantic Records in 1966

PoPsie Randolph/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

3 of 23

With husband and manager Ted White in 1968

With husband and manager Ted White in 1968

Roger Bamber/ANL/REX/Shutterstock

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Living up the swingin' '60s

Living up the swingin' '60s

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Rocking a diamond ring in an undated photo

Rocking a diamond ring in an undated photo

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Holding a Grammy Award in 1970

Holding a Grammy Award in 1970

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Aretha Franklin with her father and sister in 1971

Aretha Franklin with her father and sister in 1971

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Aretha Franklin in Los Angeles in 1980

Aretha Franklin in Los Angeles in 1980

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Onstage at the NBA All-Star Game in 1985

Onstage at the NBA All-Star Game in 1985

Paul Natkin/Getty Images

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Taping an HBO special with James Brown in 1987

Taping an HBO special with James Brown in 1987

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Backstage at Radio City Music Hall with Oprah Winfrey in 1991

Backstage at Radio City Music Hall with Oprah Winfrey in 1991

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Aretha Franklin, Donald Trump, Clive Davis, and Marla Maples attend a 1992 Grammy Party

Aretha Franklin, Donald Trump, Clive Davis, and Marla Maples attend a 1992 Grammy Party

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On the red carpet of the 39th annual Grammy Awards in 1997

On the red carpet of the 39th annual Grammy Awards in 1997

KATHY WILLENS/AP/REX/Shutterstock

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Receiving the 1999 National Medal of Arts and Humanities Award

Receiving the 1999 National Medal of Arts and Humanities Award

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Performing as part of VH1 Divas 2001: The One and Only Aretha Franklin

Performing as part of VH1 Divas 2001: The One and Only Aretha Franklin

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Performing at the inauguration ceremony of President Barack Obama in 2009

Performing at the inauguration ceremony of President Barack Obama in 2009

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Addressing the graduates of New York University in 2014

Addressing the graduates of New York University in 2014

Frank Franklin II/AP/REX/Shutterstock

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On Late Night With Seth Meyers in 2015

On Late Night With Seth Meyers in 2015

Jon Pack/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

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Aretha Franklin at Lincoln Center in 2015

Aretha Franklin at Lincoln Center in 2015

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Aretha Franklin's birthday party in 2015

Aretha Franklin's birthday party in 2015

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Attending the Elton John AIDS Foundation's 25th anniversary gala in 2017

Attending the Elton John AIDS Foundation's 25th anniversary gala in 2017

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Aretha Franklin performs at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival

Aretha Franklin performs at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival

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By Seija Rankin seija.rankin@ew.com

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Aretha Franklin through the years

Signing a contract with Atlantic Records in 1966

With husband and manager Ted White in 1968

Living up the swingin' '60s

Rocking a diamond ring in an undated photo

Holding a Grammy Award in 1970

Aretha Franklin with her father and sister in 1971

Aretha Franklin in Los Angeles in 1980

Onstage at the NBA All-Star Game in 1985

Taping an HBO special with James Brown in 1987

Backstage at Radio City Music Hall with Oprah Winfrey in 1991

Aretha Franklin, Donald Trump, Clive Davis, and Marla Maples attend a 1992 Grammy Party

On the red carpet of the 39th annual Grammy Awards in 1997

Receiving the 1999 National Medal of Arts and Humanities Award

Performing as part of VH1 Divas 2001: The One and Only Aretha Franklin

Performing at the inauguration ceremony of President Barack Obama in 2009

Addressing the graduates of New York University in 2014

On Late Night With Seth Meyers in 2015

Aretha Franklin at Lincoln Center in 2015

Aretha Franklin's birthday party in 2015

Attending the Elton John AIDS Foundation's 25th anniversary gala in 2017

Aretha Franklin performs at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival

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The evolution of Aretha Franklin

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