Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin was an American singer and pianist, widely regarded as the greatest soul vocalist of the twentieth century.
Her powerful voice and gospel-influenced style produced iconic recordings including "Respect," "Chain of Fools," and "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman." Known as the Queen of Soul, she was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Postwar Black popular music
- gospelSacred choral tradition
- MotownDetroit's soulful moniker
- DetroitMichigan automotive hub
- Atlantic RecordsAmerican music label founded 1947
deep soul · blues · funk · feeling · emotion · groove · passion · intensity
Lowest female vocal range
- mezzo-sopranoMedium female singing voice
- vocalistOne who sings professionally
- singerVocal music performer
- belterPowerful vocalist or stunner
range · power · melisma · vibrato · phrasing · tone · timbre · vocal runs
Place of Christian worship
- choirOrganized group of singers
- BaptistImmersion-practicing Protestant
- Amazing GraceHymn about divine mercy
- testimonySworn statement as evidence
spiritual · hymn · worship · praise · faith · sanctuary · congregation · organ
Celebrated female vocalist
- glamourFascinating, elegant attractiveness
- fur coatsOuterwear made from pelts
- crownsRegal head ornaments
- commandingExerting strong authority
regal · stage presence · showmanship · dramatic · flamboyant · elegant · majestic · powerful
Official song of praise
- dignityInnate personal worth
- self-worthInternal sense of value
- independenceFreedom from external control
- strengthPower to exert force
assertiveness · liberation · feminism · sisterhood · pride · confidence · autonomy · defiance
Honorary title for supreme vocalist
- iconPictorial screen symbol
- legendUnverified traditional tale
- pioneerEarly explorer or settler
- trailblazerFirst to forge ahead
influential · timeless · classic · Hall of Fame · Grammys · lifetime achievement · tribute · honoree
Guaranteed individual legal protections
- equalitySame status for all
- justiceFair treatment under law
- freedomAbsence of constraint
- Black PowerRacial pride movement
Martin Luther King Jr. · Angela Davis · solidarity · community · Detroit riots · protest · fundraising · NAACP
rhythm and blues
Postwar Black popular music
Atlantic Records · deep soul · blues · funk · feeling · emotion · groove · passion · intensity · warmth
contralto
Lowest female vocal range
- mezzo-sopranoMedium female singing voice
- vocalistOne who sings professionally
- singerVocal music performer
belter · range · power · melisma · vibrato · phrasing · tone · timbre · vocal runs · ad-libs
church
Place of Christian worship
- choirOrganized group of singers
- BaptistImmersion-practicing Protestant
- Amazing GraceHymn about divine mercy
testimony · spiritual · hymn · worship · praise · faith · sanctuary · congregation · organ · Hammond
diva
Celebrated female vocalist
- glamourFascinating, elegant attractiveness
- fur coatsOuterwear made from pelts
- crownsRegal head ornaments
commanding · regal · stage presence · showmanship · dramatic · flamboyant · elegant · majestic · powerful · charismatic
Amazing Grace
Hymn about divine mercy
- Spanish HarlemManhattan's historic Latino enclave
anthem
Official song of praise
- dignityInnate personal worth
- self-worthInternal sense of value
- independenceFreedom from external control
strength · assertiveness · liberation · feminism · sisterhood · pride · confidence · autonomy · defiance · demand
Queen of Soul
Honorary title for supreme vocalist
trailblazer · influential · timeless · classic · Hall of Fame · Grammys · lifetime achievement · tribute · honoree · Kennedy Center
civil rights
Guaranteed individual legal protections
Martin Luther King Jr. · Angela Davis · Black Power · solidarity · community · Detroit riots · protest · fundraising · NAACP · social justice
- DetroitDetroit, Detroit River, Motown, Detroit Tigers, Detroit Lions
- Late IconsMarilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, John Lennon, Audrey Hepburn
- R&BMichael Jackson, Beyonce, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder
- Michigan NotablesStevie Wonder, Diana Ross, Eminem, Madonna, Smokey Robinson
- Female SingersAdele, Beyonce, Celine Dion, Cher, Diana Ross
- 2018 trendsWorld Cup, royal wedding, Black Panther, MeToo movement, Fortnite
Aretha FranklinPat Boone
Milli Vanilli · Auto-Tune · Fabian · The Monkees · elevator music
Aretha FranklinPat Boone
Ted Nugent · cultural appropriation · minstrelsy · Elvis Presley · institutional racism