Aretha Franklin defined the sound of soul for over half a century. While her voice moved millions, her private life and unique habits often remained behind a curtain of mystery. For instance, she refused to set foot on a plane for the last thirty years of her life. Furthermore, she collected academic honors with the same ease that she collected hit records. Prepare to give the Queen some respect.
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin developed a paralyzing fear of flying in 1984. Specifically, a turbulent flight in a small twin-engine plane from Atlanta to Detroit terrified her. Consequently, she spent the rest of her life traveling exclusively by a custom-made bus.
She learned to play the piano entirely by ear as a child. Although she eventually became a world-class musician, she never officially learned to read sheet music. Therefore, she memorized complex arrangements simply by listening to them.
Her father, C.L. Franklin, was a famous preacher with a “million-dollar voice.” He hosted a national radio show and helped lead the Civil Rights Movement. Indeed, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was a close family friend who often visited their home.
She won 18 Grammy Awards during her legendary career. These trophies included eight consecutive wins for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance. Remarkably, she became the first woman ever inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
Aretha Franklin held 13 honorary doctorate degrees from prestigious universities. Institutions like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton recognized her cultural impact with these academic titles. Specifically, Harvard awarded her an honorary Doctor of Arts in 2014.
She famously kept her handbag on stage during every performance. This habit started early in her career when she wanted to ensure she received her payment in cash. Thus, she kept the purse within reach even while singing for presidents.
Her famous hat from the 2009 inauguration caused a global fashion frenzy. The grey felt hat featured an extravagant bow dotted with Swarovski crystals. After the performance, the designer received over 5,000 orders for the “Aretha Hat” immediately.
She gave birth to her first son at age twelve. Two years later, she had her second child. Despite these immense challenges as a young mother, she continued to pursue her career and released her first gospel album at age fourteen.
Aretha Franklin once filled in for Luciano Pavarotti at the last minute. In 1998, the legendary tenor became ill just before the Grammy Awards. She stepped onto the stage and sang the opera aria “Nessun Dorma” perfectly in his place.
The state of Michigan officially declared her voice a “natural resource” in 1985. The Department of Natural Resources recognized her vocal cords as a unique treasure. Consequently, she is likely the only singer in the world with such a legal designation.
She used to cook “soul food” feasts for her entire crew. Even while touring by bus, she often prepared massive meals of fried chicken and peach cobbler. She viewed cooking as a way to show love and keep her musical family connected.
Her signature song “Respect” was originally a cover of an Otis Redding track. However, she added the famous “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” spelling and the “sock it to me” backing vocals. Eventually, Otis Redding admitted that the song now belonged to her.
She successfully sued a newspaper for 50 million dollars (46 million Euros). The publication falsely claimed that she suffered from alcoholism. She fiercely protected her reputation and never tolerated misinformation about her private habits.
Aretha Franklin sang at the funerals of both Martin Luther King Jr. and Whitney Houston. Her voice served as a source of comfort during some of the most significant moments in American history. People turned to her whenever the nation needed a sense of healing.
Finally, she left no written will when she passed away in 2018. Her family discovered handwritten notes under the cushions of her sofa months later. These documents sparked a long legal battle over her multi-million dollar estate.
