@Sylvia Meyers

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Aretha Franklin had been recording for more than a decade—and singing in church throughout her childhood—before she struck gold with “Respect” in 1967. A slower take on a previous hit by Otis Redding, Franklin’s version became a feminist rallying cry thanks not just to the lyrics but to the fiery determination in her delivery. Working with producer Jerry Wexler, she finally unlocked the full power of her voice there and again on “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” just a few months later. Both grew into generational statements, as did the following year’s “Think,” and Franklin didn’t slow down from there. Infused with her rich experience singing gospel, blues, and jazz, her approach to soul music rang undeniably true. Franklin soon became an in-demand interpreter of everything from folk music (“Bridge Over Troubled Water”) to Brill Building pop (“Spanish Harlem”) to civil-rights anthems (“Young, Gifted and Black”). Yet she never lost sight of her proud church roots—behold 1972’s earth-shaking live album <i>Amazing Grace</i>—and also transitioned surprisingly well into other eras, embracing disco on 1982’s “Jump to It” and synth-pop on 1985’s “Freeway of Love” alongside duets with George Michael and Eurythmics. The heartful depth of her vocalizing is still the mark by which the world’s best singers judge themselves.