born March 25, 1942, Memphis, Tenn., U.S.
U.S. popular singer.
Franklin's family moved from Memphis to Detroit when she was two. Her father, C.L. Franklin, was a well-known revivalist preacher; his church and home were visited by musical luminaries such as Clara Ward, B.B. King , and Dinah Washington . Franklin made her first recording at age 12. At first she performed only gospel music , but at age 18 she switched from sacred to secular music. After struggling for a number of years to achieve crossover success, in 1967 her powerful and fervent voice took the country by storm as she began to release a string of songs including "I Never Loved a Man," "Respect," "Chain of Fools," "Think," and "Natural Woman." Her rousing mixture of gospel and rhythm and blues defined the golden age of {{link=soul music">soul music of the 1960s. In 1987 she became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.