Aretha franklin biography timeline graph

A time line of major events in the life and work of Aretha Franklin:

March 1942 — Aretha Franklin is born in Memphis, Tennessee.

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Her father, a prominent Baptist minister with gospel-music connections, would move the family briefly to Buffalo before settling in Detroit when Aretha was 4. She would call the city home for most of her life, and would always be closely associated with its massive musical legacy.

1956 — Franklin releases her first album, a gospel collection called "Songs of Faith," recorded at her father's church when she was 14.

1961 — Franklin marries her manager, Ted White.

Their troubled eight-year union is believed to have inspired her performances on many songs.

February 1961 — Franklin releases her first album for Columbia Records. She would have only minor hits in her six years with the label, which pushed her toward jazz and show tunes and away from her gospel roots.

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