Aretha Franklin was a legendary singer and activist. Her music helped shape the civil rights movement and inspired many people. Aretha Franklin: Legendary Singer explores her life and legacy. Easy-to-read text, vivid images, and helpful back matter give readers a clear look at this subject. Features include a table of contents, infographics, a glossary, additional resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Core Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.

*ABOUT THE SUBJECT* Aretha Louise Franklin was born in Memphis in 1942. Landing in Detroit, she became a musical prodigy under the guidance of her father - the Reverend C. L. Franklin. Aretha signed a major recording contract with Columbia Records at age 18. After six years and ten studio albums, she had yet to break-out in the music industry. In 1967, Aretha Franklin moved to Atlantic Records and became the hottest singer in the music business. It was at Atlantic that she became THE QUEEN OF SOUL! Through health problems, family deaths, and personal catastrophes, Aretha Franklin valiantly worked the road, singing in venues throughout the United States and Canada. She remains a living legend and one of - if not the - greatest voice(s) to come out of the Twentieth Century. *ABOUT THE AUTHOR* Mark Watson - often referred to as The Motor City Music Historian - is a musicologist, freelance journalist, and music critic with several decades of involvement in entertainment. He holds numerous degrees and certifications. Currently based in the Metropolitan Detroit area, he has also spent abundant time in Florida, Arizona, and California.

America's Queen of Soul recounts the story of her life, from her childhood as a minister's daughter in Detroit to her rise to success, offering insights into the faith and determination that have taken her to the top.

Aretha Franklin was blessed with one of the greatest voices in all of popular music. She sang from the age of eight, and performed professionally from the age of fourteen. Her talent, which many described simply as God-given, seemed sufficient to ensure her a life of comfort and ease. In spite of earning large sums of money and having millions of adoring fans, Franklin experienced powerful insecurity. Nonetheless, the "Queen of Soul" persevered and became one of the legendary talents of her generation. With this fact-filled biography, readers will be able to celebrate this extraordinary artist by learning all about her fascinating life and career.

Author Silvia Anne Sheafer relates the entertaining life and career of this legend of soul music, from her childhood in Detroit, through her struggles with personal heartache and racial prejudice, to her continued success as a major force in the music industry. Crowned the "Queen of Soul," Aretha Franklin has won fifteen Grammy Awards, and has also received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Profiles the life and career of the "queen of soul," Aretha Franklin.

This biography highlights the life and accomplishments of Aretha Franklin. Readers learn about Franklin's early life, her award-winning career during which she became known as the Queen of Soul, was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Features include a timeline, glossary, fun facts, online resources, and an index. Aligned to Common Core Standards and correlated to state standards. Checkerboard Library is an imprint of Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO.