Aretha Franklin, Queen of Soul
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images
Natural Talent
Franklin says she sang "all day, every day" as a young girl. One of three daughters of the Rev. Clarence Franklin, Aretha started out as a gospel singer in her father's church. In 1967 she issued her first Atlantic single, "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)," a blues ballad that introduced listeners to her unique style.