THE QUEEN OF SOUL IS GONE.
Aretha Franklin passed away the morning of August 16 at the age of 76, reportedly from pancreatic cancer.

As of August 13, she was said to have been in hospice care, and close friends and family rushed to be with her.

Born in 1942, Aretha started her singing career at her minister-father's church, the New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit. She began recording gospel in the 1950's when she was 14. Her first album was "Songs Of Faith" in 1956 and her first single, "Never Grow Old" also in 1956. Her career didn't soar until 1967, when she signed with Atlantic Records. From there, the hits came fast & furious: "Respect", "A Natural Woman", "Baby I Love You", "Rock Steady", "Chain Of Fools", "Sweet Sweet Baby", "Think", "The House That Jack Built", "I Say A Little Prayer", "Spanish Harlem", "Until You Come Back To Me", "Freeway Of Love", "Who's Zoomin' Who" and SO many others.

She released WAYYY over 100 singles, mostly solo but also collaborations with The Dixie Flyers, George Benson, Eurythmics, George Michael, Rolling Stones, Larry Graham, Four Tops, Elton John, Whitney Houston, James Brown, Michael McDonald, Mary J. Blige and Fantasia. Also, 100 albums are to her credit. Aretha is the Most Charted Female in Billboard Chart history. Yes, WAYYY more than Madonna.

Winner of 18 Grammy Awards and countless others and one of the 100 Greatest Artists Of All Time. A well-deserved legacy for someone who made the entire world happy.

Check out some of her  greatest hits below and remember the great library of songs she left behind for all of us to enjoy.....

R.I.P., Aretha.

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