How old is aretha franklin 2017

She was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W Bush in , when she was saluted for "capturing the hearts of millions of Americans". The BBC's Sima Kotecha interviewed Franklin in Detroit in , and shared memories on Thursday of meeting the international star who "put her at ease straight away".

Her candid responses were refreshing and spoke volumes about her experience as a big star in the global media spotlight. You only have to compare Otis Redding's original recording of Respect to Aretha's version to hear it. His is superb. Hers is otherworldly.

Even her most thunderous performances retained their humanity - something her shoutier disciples often overlooked. In later years, she was let down by the material she chose or which was chosen for her but her performances still had the poetry and power to move audiences - including, notably, Barack Obama - to tears.

If you have a story suggestion email entertainment. Reaction to Aretha Franklin's death. Stars pay tribute to Aretha Franklin. Obituary: Aretha Franklin. This story has been shared 79, times.

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Email required. Comment required. Enlarge Image. Aretha Franklin Everett Collection. More On: aretha franklin. Smiling in a beehive in Getty Images She learned to play piano at a young age, and credited that, along with her songwriting and arranging talents, as an important part of her music-making.

She made "Respect," written by Otis Redding, a call to arms. The first woman admitted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, she had 88 Billboard chart hits during the rock era, tops among female vocalists.

At the peak of her career -- from to -- she had more than two dozen Top 40 hits. Hide Caption. After a childhood of singing gospel music in Detroit, where her father was a minister, Franklin scored her first recording deal at age In she signed with Atlantic Records, where she would record a string of hits.

Franklin performs on stage in Franklin photographed with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In she was asked to perform at King's funeral, where she sang a stirring rendition of "Precious Lord, Take Thy Hand.

Franklin and Glynn Turman walk down the aisle at their wedding on April 11, Editor's note: A previous version of this caption identified Franklin's husband as Glynn Russell.

His full name is Glynn Russell Turman. Franklin on stage in Franklin and Big Mama Thornton perform together onstage on the television series, 'Omnibus,' in Franklin poses backstage during ChicagoFest in Franklin sings at the Park West Auditorium in Chicago in Franklin preforms at the Lincoln Memorial for President Clinton's inaugural gala in Franklin became the youngest Kennedy Center Honors Awards recipient in Franklin sings at civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks' funeral in Former President George W.

Bush presented Franklin with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, in The medal is awarded to those who have made contributions to national security, world peace or culture. Franklin in Franklin during a concert, accompanied by former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice far left at the piano and the Philadelphia Orchestra.

Franklin and Oprah Winfrey during a star-studded taping of "Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular," in Chicago in After canceling six months of public appearances because of medical problems, Franklin returned to the stage at the Jones Beach Theater in New York in Franklin, seen on screen, at the "American Idol" finale in Franklin waves while standing to receive an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from Harvard University in An emotional Attorney General Eric Holder, center, and President Barack Obama react after Franklin finished singing a song for Holder at an event celebrating the end of his tenure at the Department of Justice in Franklin performing in at the National Portrait Gallery, where she was honored.

I adored her and worshipped her talent. God bless her. We'll notify you here with news about. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Comments 0. Top Stories. Judges in Arbery, Rittenhouse cases frustrated as they work to maintain fair trials 2 hours ago. Expert at Rittenhouse trial zeroes in on just a few minutes 2 minutes ago. Nov 10, AM.