Glitter&Gumbo salutes the one and only “Queen of Soul” Aretha Franklin, on what would have been her 78th birthday today, March 25.
Gospel sensation Christina Bell, also starring in Lifetime’s The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel biopic, sings a mini tribute in honor of the legend.
Aretha Franklin History Facts:
• During her prolific career, Aretha Franklin received 18 Grammy Awards and was nominated a total of 44 times.
- She was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
- In April 2019, Aretha Franklin made history as the first individual woman to receive a special Pulitzer citation award.
- She performed at the inaugurations of three presidents –performing “God Bless America” at Jimmy Carter’s night-before-the-inauguration celebration at the Kennedy Center in 1977, a two-hour concert during Bill Clinton’s inauguration festivities and finally “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” at Barack Obama’s inauguration.
- Aretha Franklin handpicked by Jennifer Hudson to play her in the upcoming biopic Respect, following Franklin’s life from singing in her father’s church, to becoming one of the most iconic figures in the music industry. Joining Hudson in the cast are Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Marc Maron, Tituss Burgess, Saycon Sengbloh, Hailey Kilgore, Tate Donovan, Heather Headley, Skye Dakota Turner, and Mary J. Blige.
