Aretha Louise Franklin was an American singer, composer, and pianist who lived from March 25, 1942, through August 16, 2018. The “Queen of Soul” has twice come in ninth on Rolling Stone’s list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time.”
Franklin is one of the best-selling musicians in the world, with over 75 million recordings sold worldwide.
Aretha Franklin parents: Meet C. L. Franklin, Barbara Siggers Franklin
On March 25, 1942, Barbara and Clarence LaVaughn “C. L.” Franklin welcomed a daughter, Aretha Louise. She was born in her family’s residence in Memphis, Tennessee, at 406 Lucy Avenue. Her mother was a talented pianist and singer, while her father was a Baptist minister and circuit preacher originally from Shelby, Mississippi.
Along with the four children they shared, Mr. and Mrs. Franklin also had children from previous unions. Aretha’s family moved to Buffalo, New York, when she was two years old. When Aretha was five years old, C. L. Franklin moved the family permanently to Detroit, where he assumed leadership of the New Bethel Baptist Church.
