Today’s #TBTXPN artist is known as THE Queen of Soul — we’re talking about none other than Aretha Franklin!
The Memphis-born power house got her start by singing in her local choir as a teen and was soon recognized as a vocal prodigy. After signing her second recording contract, Franklin began the journey to sculpt her own musical identity by refining her mixture of gospel and rhythm and blues. With hits like “I Never Loved a Man (the Way I Love You),” and “Think,” you don’t have to wonder why she was the first woman inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Franklin also received a Kennedy Center Honor in 1994, a National Medal of Arts in 1999, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005.
Like every musician her career came with peaks and valleys, but one truth will always remain: Aretha Franklin is Lady Soul.
Tune in throughout the day as we highlight Aretha’s many musical contributions at XPN.org!