Hail to the Queen! Aretha Franklin, 1942-2018

A national treasure. A once in a lifetime talent. The Queen of Soul. Nobody lives up to labels like that.

Aretha Franklin did.

Today, the world is a little darker and a little sadder, as we mourn the death of Aretha Louise Franklin, one the most iconic singers in the history of music. But while we mourn, we also celebrate an extraordinary talent and without question, the most accomplished female singer of all time.

• 112 charted singles on Billboard
• 20 number one R&B singles
• 17 top 10 Pop singles
• 18 Grammy® Awards
• 75 million records sold
• The most charted female artist in history
• Inducted into the Rock & Roll (first female inducted), UK Music and Gospel Halls of Fame
• #9 on Rolling Stone’s Top 100 artists of all time (the highest-ranking woman)
• Recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors
• Awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom

It’s not hyperbole to say Aretha Franklin transcended musical style. In addition to being the Queen of Soul, she sang Pop, R&B, blues, Jazz and even Classical. In 1998, when Luciano Pavarotti dropped out of the Grammy Awards telecast for medical reasons, Aretha stepped in at the last second and delivered a stunning, unexpected performance of Pavarotti’s signature “Nessun Dorma” aria from Puccini’s Turandot. It brought the house down.

To remember her, and to enjoy her greatness again, here are five of our favorite Aretha Franklin performances:

“I Say A Little Prayer” (1970)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Ifw8JhDBvs

Aretha Franklin at The Filmore West (Full Concert) (1971)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vyx34kgHGng

The Blues Brothers – “Think” (1980)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vet6AHmq3_s

The Kennedy Center Honors Honoring Carole King – “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” (2015)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHsnZT7Z2yQ

NFL Thanksgiving Day Game – “The Star-Spangled Banner” (2016)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtDcNtW-wuI&start_radio=1&list=RDrtDcNtW-wuI

Aretha Franklin began her career in 1956 singing Gospel music with her father, a traveling preacher. Today, we’re comforted to think Aretha is ending her career as she began it.

To follow our new playlist, “HAIL TO THE QUEEN! – ARETHA FRANKLIN, 1942-2018,” CLICK HERE and then click the “Save To Your Library” link under PLAY.

To enjoy other LOOMIS playlists, visit us on Spotify HERE.