Aretha Franklin
1942 – 2018

Aretha Franklin

American singer, songwriter, and pianist (1942–2018)

soul musicianactivistsongwriterpianistrecord producer
Born
1942-03-25, Memphis
Died
2018-08-16
Birthplace state
Tennessee

Biography

Aretha Louise Franklin was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. Regarded as the "Queen of Soul", she was twice named by Rolling Stone magazine as the greatest singer of all time.

Occupation

Aretha Franklin is recorded as a soul musician, a activist, a songwriter, a pianist, a record producer, a singer and a composer, born in Tennessee (1942–2018).

Connections to Tennessee

Aretha Franklin was born in Memphis, Tennessee in 1942. Explore other notable figures from Tennessee, historic sites connected to this era, and the full colonial and statehood history of the state using the links below.

Other notable figures from Tennessee›Tennesseehistory ›Historic sites in Tennessee›
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Memphis

Aretha Franklin came from Memphis. A full Aubrey report on Memphis pulls together everything the historical record holds about that place, from the first settlers to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Memphis report
Or see a real report first

More notable figures from Tennessee

Other historical figures born in Tennessee, ranked by historical prominence.

Tina Turner
Tina Turner
American-born Swiss singer and songwriter (1939–2023)
Huell Howser
Huell Howser
American television personality (1945-2013)
James M. Buchanan
James M. Buchanan
American economist, recipient of the Nobel Memorial Prize for Economics (1919–2013)
Cordell Hull
Cordell Hull
American politician, U.S. Secretary of State from 1933 to 1944
Shannen Doherty
Shannen Doherty
American actress (1971–2024)
Dixie Carter
Dixie Carter
American actress (1939–2010)
Lisa Marie Presley
Lisa Marie Presley
American singer-songwriter (1968–2023)

Frequently asked about Aretha Franklin

Who was Aretha Franklin?
Aretha Franklin was American singer, songwriter, and pianist (1942–2018), born in Tennessee (1942 – 2018).
When and where was Aretha Franklin born?
Aretha Franklin was born on 1942-03-25 in Memphis.
When did Aretha Franklin die?
Aretha died on 2018-08-16.
What was Aretha Franklin known for?
Aretha Franklin is recorded as a soul musician, a activist, a songwriter, a pianist, a record producer, a singer and a composer.
Source

Biographical content adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Source: Wikipedia.

Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your locationView a free sample report