(born 1942) Born in Memphis, Tennessee, and raised in Detroit, MI, Aretha Franklin is considered the “Queen of Soul.” Trained throughout her youth in gospel singing in church, her vocal range and abilities transcend those of most singers in the music business. She was signed to Columbia Records in 1960, but did not have her first hit until 1967. In that same year she recorded “Respect” which reached number one on the popular music charts, and quickly became a virtual anthem for both Civil Rights and women’s movements.