Detroit's Queen of Soul still getting a lil' bit a 'Respect'

Hundreds of artists graced the streets of Motown. Many were one-hit wonders. Others didn't slip out of the collective unconscious for years. And a select few have become legends.

Aretha Franklin, among the most talented soul singers ever, fits the latter category. Over a span of almost 40 years, the "Queen of Soul" and current Metro Detroit resident has recorded 49 albums, producing more than 20 No. 1 R&B hits.

The road to Detoit started in Memphis, where Aretha was born 56 years ago yesterday. She began singing at a young age with her father, Reverend C.I. Franklin, on nationwide tours and at the New Bethel Baptist Church.

Her official recording career began in the early '60s with Columbia Records. Franklin cut 10 albums during her Columbia days, but the singles released there saw little success.

The tables turned in 1967, when Aretha released her first album with Atlantic, "I Never Loved a Man." Her first four Atlantic releases produced 10 top-10 hits and six No. 1 R&B hits.

The 13 years Franklin spent with Atlantic were golden. Seventeen of her songs climbed to the top of the R&B charts. Smash hits during this era included "Baby I Love You," "Chain of Fools" and, of course, "Respect."

The Aretha Franklin of the late '60s and early '70s is the one most well-known to the majority of the population, including University students.

"I'm not a huge Aretha Franklin fan but I love the song 'Respect' and I love watching old clips of Aretha performing," said LSA first-year student Jon Monson-Foun.

After her golden years, Aretha signed with Arista and has recorded with stars such as George Michael and Elton John to make hits including "United Together," "Jimmy Lee" and "I Knew You Were Waiting."

Her biggest hit with Arista came in 1985, when "Freeway of Love" climbed to No. 3 on the pop charts and was a No. 1 R&B hit.

"I remember that when I was about seven years old, my little neighborhood friends would come over and we'd listen to my mom's Aretha Franklin record and sing and dance to 'Freeway of Love,'" recalled first-year LSA student Carrie Downes.

Franklin has been honored for her work with many prestigious awards. "Lady Soul" was the first woman inducted into the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame and was the youngest recipient in the history of the Kennedy Center Honors.

She has collected 15 Grammys and received the Grammy Legend Award in 1991. In 1994, Aretha was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

On March 10, she released "A Rose is a Rose," a confident and emotional album with all the youth and vibrance of past years.

Puff Daddy, Lauryn Hill of the Fugees and Jermain Dupri are just a few of the writers and producers who collaborated in the making of Aretha's first studio album in six years.

For almost 40 years, the Queen of Soul's career has been going strong and her latest album demonstrates that it is has no intention of slowing down.

Judging by the past, we have much to look forward to in Aretha Franklin's future.

03-26-98