“Respect” and more is what American musician, singer, songwriter, and pianist Aretha Franklin has gained in her very successful venture in the music industry. Known as the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin also has in her repertoire other genres suck as gospel, jazz, blues, R&B, pop, rock, and funk.

Born on March 25, 1942, Aretha Louise Franklin began singing at age 10 in the church where her father was a Baptist minister and activist. She starting recording at 14 and eventually signed a contract with Columbia Records at age 18, with her father’s blessing and consent. Franklin signed a contract with Atlantic Records in late 1966 and began releasing hit songs such as “I Never Loved a Man The Way I Love You", "You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman", "Think", "Chain of Fools" and her signature song, "Respect." Following a brief hiatus in 1969, the Queen Soul went on to sing her way to success with songs like “Until You Come Back To Me”, “Freeway of Love” and “Who’s Zoomin’ Who."

Her successful career has landed her a spot in Rolling Stone Magazine’s “100 Greatest Singers of All Time” where she reigns at 9. She has a total of 20 Grammy’s and is the first female artist inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.