*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.