Aretha Franklin

Since her heyday in the late ’60s—when she recorded some of the most seminal R&B tracks of all time, including “Respect” and “Chain Of Fools”—the reigning Queen Of Soul, Aretha Franklin, has been the gold standard for female belters with her smooth falsetto, growling passion, and gospel shouts. She’s worked steadily for several decades, recording a 2007 album of duets with contemporary singers like John Legend, Mariah Carey, and Mary J. Blige. In January of 2009, she took the stage as the sole performer at Barack Obama’s inauguration ceremony, singing a soulful rendition of “My Country ‘Tis Of Thee.” She appears here behind her latest album, Aretha: A Woman Falling Out Of Love, that is being sold exclusively at Wal-Mart stores. 

Updated 09/29/2011