TheGrio Reflects: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul

TheGrio Reflects: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul

"The Queen of Soul," "Lady Soul," "Re-Re." Whatever you call her, you have got to give her some R-E-S-P-E-C-T. Aretha Franklin was born in Memphis, Tennessee on March 25, 1942, but her family moved to Detroit when she was only a baby where she was brought up in the church and sang in the choir. She made her first record at the age of 14, "Aretha Gospel." But it wasn't until the 60's that her voice started making R&B history with hits like "Respect," "Chain of Fools," "Think," and "I Never Loved a Man." In 2009, she was asked to perform at the presidential inauguration of Barack Obama and belted out her version of "America (My Country 'Tis of Thee)" in front of a global audience of millions. "Gospel artist," "Lady Soul," "The Queen." Ms. Aretha Franklin. Today's moment in black history.