Coordinates	55°45′06″N37°37′04″N
name	Annie Lennox OBE
background	solo_singer
birth name	Ann Lennox
birth date	December 25, 1954
origin	Aberdeen, Scotland
occupation	Singer-songwriter, activist, humanitarian ambassador
genre	Pop, Rock, Blue-eyed soul, New Wave, R&B;
instrument	Vocals, piano, keyboards, guitar, accordion, harmonium
years active	1975–present
associated acts	The Catch, The Tourists, Eurythmics
label	RCA, Arista (1981–2009)Island, Decca (2010–)
website	www.annielennox.com }}

Annie Lennox, OBE (born Ann Lennox, 25 December 1954), is a Scottish singer-songwriter, political activist and philanthropist. After achieving minor success in the late 1970s as part of the new wave band The Tourists, she and fellow musician David A. Stewart went on to achieve major international success in the 1980s as Eurythmics.

Lennox embarked on a solo career in the 1990s with her debut album, ''Diva'' (1992), which produced several hit singles including "Why" and "Walking on Broken Glass". To date, she has released five solo studio albums and a compilation album, ''The Annie Lennox Collection'' (2009). She is the recipient of eight Brit Awards, four Grammy Awards and an MTV Video Music Award. In 2002, Lennox received a Billboard Century Award; the highest accolade from ''Billboard'' Magazine. In 2004, she won both the Golden Globe and the Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Into the West", written for the soundtrack to the feature film ''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King''.

In addition to her career as a musician, Lennox is also a political and social activist, notable for raising money and awareness for HIV charities in Africa. She also objected to the unauthorized use of the 1999 Eurythmics song "I Saved the World Today" in an election broadcast for Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni in 2009. In 2011, Lennox received an OBE from Queen Elizabeth II for her "tireless charity campaigns and championing of humanitarian causes".

Known as a pop culture icon for her distinctive contralto vocals and visual performances, Lennox has been named "The Greatest White Soul Singer Alive" by VH1 and one of The 100 Greatest Singers of All Time by ''Rolling Stone''. She has earned the distinction of "most successful female British artist in UK music history" due to her global commercial success since the early 1980s. Including her work within Eurythmics, Lennox is one of the world's best-selling music artists, having sold over 80 million records worldwide.

Early life

Lennox was born on Christmas Day, 1954, in Summerfield Maternity hospital, Aberdeen. Her father worked at the shipyard, and her mother was a cook until she became a housewife. Lennox was an only child and the family lived in a small two-roomed apartment in a tenement with communal laundry facilities. Despite her family's financial status, Lennox had piano lessons at school from the age of seven years at the cost of £4.00 per term. She was interested in singing and, with plenty of time to herself, passed some of the time by singing along to the popular music of the time, including music by The Beatles. She was an unhappy teenager, partly because of a struggle over boundaries for her independence with her overprotective father. She attended Aberdeen High School for Girls, now Harlaw Academy. In 1964, her early talent was demonstrated when she came second in a talent contest at a Butlins holiday camp. She sang the song "Mairi's Wedding".

In the 1970s, Lennox won a place at the Royal Academy of Music in London, where she studied the flute and classical music for three years. She lived on a student grant and worked at part-time jobs for extra money. Lennox was unhappy during her time at the Royal Academy partly because she was lonely and shy, and she missed many history-of-music lessons.

Lennox's flute teacher's final report stated: "Ann has not always been sure of where to direct her efforts, though lately she has been more committed. She is very, very able, however." Two years later, Lennox reported to the Academy: "I have had to work as a waitress, barmaid, and shop assistant to keep me when not in musical work." She also played and sang with a few bands, such as Windsong, during the period of her course. In 2006, the academy made her an honorary Fellow. Lennox also was made a Fellow of the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama that year.

Music career

1976–90: Dragon's Playground, The Tourists and Eurythmics

In 1976, Lennox was flautist with a band called Dragon's Playground, leaving before they appeared on TV's New Faces. Between 1977 and 1980, she was the lead singer of The Tourists (initially known as The Catch), a moderately successful British pop band and her first collaboration with Dave Stewart. During the time they were in The Tourists, Stewart and Lennox were involved in a relationship, though this had ended by the time they formed Eurythmics.

Lennox and Stewart's second collaboration, the 1980s synthpop duo Eurythmics, resulted in her most notable fame, as the duo's alto, soul-tinged lead singer. Early in Eurythmics' career, Lennox was known for her androgyny, wearing suits and once impersonating Elvis Presley. Eurythmics released a long line of singles in the 1980s, including "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)", "Love Is A Stranger", "Here Comes the Rain Again", "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves", "Who's That Girl?", "Would I Lie to You?", "There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart)", "Missionary Man", "You Have Placed a Chill in My Heart", "Thorn in My Side", "The Miracle of Love" and "Don't Ask Me Why". Though Eurythmics never officially disbanded, Lennox made a fairly clear break from Stewart in 1990. Thereafter, she began a long and equally-successful solo career.

Lennox and Stewart reconvened Eurythmics in the late 1990s with the album ''Peace'', their first album of new material in ten years. A subsequent concert tour was completed, with profits going to Greenpeace and Amnesty International.

Lennox has received eight BRIT Awards, the most of any female artist. Four of the awards were given during her time with Eurythmics, and another was given to the duo for Outstanding Contribution to Music in 1999.

The 1988 single with Al Green, "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" (a cover version of Jackie DeShannon's 1969 hit), was recorded for the soundtrack of the movie ''Scrooged''. Though it was produced by Dave Stewart, it was credited to Lennox and Green. This one-off single peaked at #2 on the US Adult Contemporary chart, #9 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was a top 40 hit in the UK. Lennox performed the song "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye", a Cole Porter song, that same year for a cameo appearance in the Derek Jarman film ''Edward II''. She then made an appearance with David Bowie and the surviving members of Queen at 1992's Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert at London's Wembley Stadium, performing "Under Pressure".

1992–93: ''Diva''

Lennox began working with former Trevor Horn protegé Stephen Lipson, beginning with her 1992 solo début album, ''Diva''. It was a commercial and critical success, charting #1 in the UK, #6 in Germany, and #23 in the US where it went double platinum. Lennox's profile was boosted by ''Diva'''s singles, which included "Why" and "Walking on Broken Glass". "Why" won an MTV Award for Best Female Video at the 1992 MTV Video Music Awards, while the video for "Walking on Broken Glass" featured the actors Hugh Laurie and John Malkovich. "Little Bird" also formed a double A-side with "Love Song for a Vampire", a soundtrack cut for Francis Ford Coppola's 1992 movie ''Bram Stoker's Dracula''. The B-side of her single "Precious" was a self-penned song called "Step by Step", which was later a hit for Whitney Houston for the soundtrack of the film ''The Preacher's Wife''. The song "Keep Young and Beautiful" was included on the CD release as a bonus track (the original vinyl album had only ten tracks).

The album entered the UK album chart at no.1 and has since sold over 1.2 million copies in the UK alone, being certified quadruple platinum. It was also a success in the US where it was a top 30 hit and has sold in excess of 2,700,000 copies. In 1993, the album was included in ''Q magazine'''s list of the "50 Best Albums of 1992". ''Rolling Stone'' magazine (25 June 1992, p. 41) described the album as "''...state-of-the-art soul pop...''" and it is included in Rolling Stone's (13 May 1999, p. 56) "Essential Recordings of the 90's" list. The album won Best British Album at the 1993 Brit Awards.

1995–2000: ''Medusa'' and return to Eurythmics

Although Lennox's profile decreased for a period because of her desire to bring up her two children outside of the media's glare, she continued to record. Her second album, ''Medusa'', was released in March 1995. It consisted solely of cover songs, all originally recorded by male artists including Bob Marley and The Clash. It entered the UK album chart at No. 1 and peaked in the US at number 11, spending 60 weeks on the ''Billboard 200'' chart and selling over 2,000,000 to date in the United States. It has achieved double platinum status in both the UK and the US. The album yielded four UK singles: "No More I Love You's" (which entered the UK singles chart at No. 2, Lennox's highest ever solo peak), "A Whiter Shade of Pale", "Waiting in Vain" and "Something So Right". The album was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Album at the Grammy Awards of 1996, losing to ''Turbulent Indigo'' by Joni Mitchell, however, Lennox won the Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for the single "No More I Love You's". Though Lennox declined to tour for the album, she did perform a large scale one-off concert in New York's Central Park, which was filmed and later released on home video.

Lennox also provided an extensive solo vocal performance (without lyrics) for the soundtrack score of the film ''Apollo 13'' in 1995.

In 1997, Lennox re-recorded the Eurythmics track "Angel" for the Diana, Princess of Wales tribute album, and also recorded the song "Mama" for ''The Avengers'' soundtrack album. In 1998, following the death of a mutual friend (former Tourists member Peet Coombes), she re-united with Dave Stewart. Following their first performance together in eight years at a record company party, Stewart and Lennox began writing and recording together for the first time since 1989. This resulted in the album ''Peace''. The title was designed to reflect the duo's ongoing concern with global conflict and world peace. The record was promoted with a concert on the Greenpeace vessel Rainbow Warrior II, where they played a mixture of old and new songs. "I Saved the World Today" was the lead single, reaching number eleven on the UK singles chart. Another single, released at the beginning of 2000, "17 Again", made the UK top 40, and topped the US dance chart. In 2002, Lennox received a Billboard Century Award; the highest accolade from ''Billboard'' Magazine, with Editor-in-Chief Timothy White describing her as one of "the most original and unforgettably affecting artists in the modern annals of popular music."

2003–07: ''Bare'' and work in Africa

In 2003, Lennox released her third solo album, ''Bare''. The album peaked at #3 in the UK and #4 in the US - her highest charting album in the US to date. She embarked on her first tour as a solo artist to promote the album. The tour, simply titled Solo Tour, pre-dated the release of the album and visited both the US and Europe, with only a two-night stop in the UK at Saddler's Wells Theatre in London. The album has been certified Gold in both the UK and the US and was nominated for Best Pop Album at the 46th Grammy Awards. The album was released with a DVD which included interviews and acoustic versions of songs by Lennox. The Japanese edition of the album features a version of Lennox's earlier hit "Cold" recorded live in Toronto.

In 2004, Lennox won the Academy Award for Best Song for "Into the West" from the film ''The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'', which she co-wrote with screenwriter Fran Walsh and composer Howard Shore. The song also won a Grammy award and a Golden Globe award. She had previously recorded "Use Well the Days" for the movie, which incorporates a number of quotations from Tolkien in its lyrics. This song was not used in the film, but it appears on a bonus DVD included with the "special edition" of the movie's soundtrack CD. In mid-2004, Lennox embarked on an extensive North American tour with Sting. In July 2005, Lennox performed at Live 8 in Hyde Park, London, along with Madonna, Sting, and other popular musicians.

In 2005, Lennox and Stewart collaborated on two new songs for their Eurythmics compilation album, ''Ultimate Collection'', of which "I've Got a Life" was released as a single in October 2005. The promotional video for the song features Lennox and Stewart performing in the present day, with images of past Eurythmics videos playing on television screens behind them. The single peaked at number fourteen in the UK Singles Chart and was a number-one US Dance hit. On 14 November 2005, Sony BMG repackaged and released Eurythmics' back catalogue as 2005 Deluxe Edition Reissues.

2007–08: ''Songs of Mass Destruction'' and AIDS activism

Ending her long association with Stephen Lipson, Lennox's fourth solo album, ''Songs of Mass Destruction'', was recorded in Los Angeles with veteran producer Glen Ballard (known for producing Alanis Morissette's album, ''Jagged Little Pill''). It was released on 1 October 2007, and was the last studio album of Lennox's contract with BMG. It peaked at #7 in the UK and #9 in the US. Lennox stated that she believed the album consisted of "twelve strong, powerful, really emotive songs that people can connect to". If she achieves that, she says, "I can feel proud of [it], no matter if it sells ten copies or 50 million." Lennox described it as "a dark album, but the world is a dark place. It's fraught, it's turbulent. Most people's lives are underscored with dramas of all kinds: there's ups, there's downs - the flickering candle." She added, "Half the people are drinking or drugging themselves to numb it. A lot of people are in pain."

The album's first single was "Dark Road", released on 24 September 2007. Another song on the album, "Sing", is a collaboration between Lennox and 23 prominent female artists: Anastacia, Isobel Campbell, Dido, Céline Dion, Melissa Etheridge, Fergie, Beth Gibbons, Faith Hill, Angelique Kidjo, Beverley Knight, Gladys Knight, k.d. lang, Madonna, Sarah McLachlan, Beth Orton, Pink, Kelis, Bonnie Raitt, Shakira, Shingai Shoniwa, Joss Stone, Sugababes, KT Tunstall, and Martha Wainwright. The song was recorded to raise money and awareness for the HIV/AIDS organization Treatment Action Campaign. Included among the group of vocalists are TAC activist members' own vocal group known as The Generics, whose CD of music inspired Lennox to make "Sing".

To promote ''Songs of Mass Destruction'', Lennox embarked on a primarily North American tour called Annie Lennox Sings, which lasted throughout October and November 2007. The tour had 18 stops: London, San Diego, New York City (two dates), Boston. The venues generally were at medium-size theatres, except in New York, where one of the dates was a United Nations fundraiser at the Midtown restaurant Cipriani.

2008–09: ''The Annie Lennox Collection'' and departing from Sony

Finishing out her contract with Sony BMG, Lennox released the compilation album ''The Annie Lennox Collection''. Initially intended for release in September 2008, the release date was pushed back several months to allow Lennox to recuperate from a back injury. The compilation was eventually released in the US on 17 February 2009, and in the UK and Europe on 9 March 2009. Included on the track listing are songs from her four solo albums, one from the ''Bram Stoker's Dracula'' soundtrack, and two new songs. One of these is a cover of Ash's single, "Shining Light". The other is a cover of a song by the English band Keane, originally the B-side of their first single in 2000. Lennox renamed the song from its original title "Closer Now" to "Pattern of My Life". A limited 3-disc edition of the album included a DVD compilation featuring most of Lennox's solo videos since 1992, and also featured a second CD of rarer songs including a version of R.E.M.'s "Everybody Hurts" with Alicia Keys and Lennox's Oscar winning "Into the West" from the third ''Lord of the Rings'' film. The album entered the UK Album Chart at #2 and remained in the top 10 for seven weeks.

Lennox's recording contract with Sony BMG concluded with the release of ''Songs of Mass Destruction'' and the subsequent retrospective album ''The Collection'', and much was made in the press in late 2007/early 2008 about the apparent animosity between Lennox and the record company. Lennox stated that while on a trip to South Africa in December 2007 to appear at the 46664 campaign in Johannesburg, the regional company office of the label failed to return phone calls and e-mails she made to them for three weeks, and had completely failed to promote the Sing project as planned. Upon her return to the UK, Lennox met with the head of Sony BMG UK, Ged Docherty, who was "mortified" by the problems she had encountered with the South African branch. However, the debacle (partly inflamed when Lennox's dissatisfaction with the South African office was made public on her blog) led to press reports falsely stating that she was being dropped by Sony BMG. The record company themselves quickly refuted the rumour stating that Lennox's contract with them had merely been fulfilled and that they hoped she would consider remaining with them. The British tabloid, ''Daily Mirror'', subsequently printed a retraction of its story about her being dropped by the label.

2010–present: Island Records and ''A Christmas Cornucopia''

In August 2010, Lennox signed a new contract with Island Records in the UK and Decca Records in the US (both part of the Universal Music Group). Her first release was a Christmas album entitled ''A Christmas Cornucopia'', issued on 15 November 2010. The album is a collection of Lennox's interpretations of traditional festive songs such as "Silent Night" and "The First Noel", along with one new composition, "Universal Child", which was released as a download-only single on 13 October 2010. Lennox had previously showcased the song on the ''American Idol Gives Back'' TV show in April 2010. She sang the song "Angels from the Realms of Glory" from the album for the TNT special ''Christmas in Washington''.

A music video was produced for a second single from the album, "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen". Lennox also performed the track on the UK chat show ''Loose Women'' in December 2010, and was also interviewed.

According to Metacritic, ''A Christmas Cornucopia'' has gained "generally favourable reviews". Ian Wade of BBC Music gave the album a very positive review, saying "this collection could find itself becoming as much a part of the holiday season as arguments with loved ones." Sal Cinquemani of Slant Magazine awarded the album 3.5/5 and said "Lennox seems more inspired on ''A Christmas Cornucopia'' than she has in years." John Hunt of ''Qatar Today'' magazine gave the album 9/10 and said "in particular, the vocal work and musical arrangement of 'God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen' are impactful to the point of being intimidating."

Public image

Charity and political work

In 1990, Lennox recorded a version of Cole Porter's "Ev'ry Time We Say Goodbye" for the Cole Porter tribute album ''Red Hot + Blue'', a benefit for AIDS awareness. A video was also produced. Lennox has been a public supporter of Amnesty International and Greenpeace for many years, and she and Dave Stewart donated all of the profits from Eurythmics' 1999 Peacetour to both charities.

In 2006, in response to her humanitarian work, Lennox became patron of the Master's Course in ''Humanitarian and Development Practice'' for Oxford Brookes University. In October 2006, Lennox spoke at the British House of Commons about the need for children in the UK to help their counterparts in Africa.

On 25 April 2007, Lennox performed "Bridge over Troubled Water" during the ''American Idol'' "Idol Gives Back" fundraising drive.

Lennox's 2007 song "Sing" was born out of her involvement with Nelson Mandela's 46664 campaign and Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), both of which are human rights groups which seek education and health care for those affected by HIV. In December 2007, Lennox established The SING Campaign, an organisation dedicated to raising funds and awareness for women and children affected by HIV and AIDS.

On 11 December 2007, she performed in the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Oslo, Norway together with a variety of artists, which was broadcast to over 100 countries. She led a rally against the Gaza War in London on 3 January 2009.

Lennox opened the 2009 Edinburgh Festival of Politics with a stinging attack on Pope Benedict XVI's approach to HIV/AIDS prevention in Africa. She said that the Pope's denunciation of condoms on his recent tour of Africa had caused "tremendous harm" and she criticised the Roman Catholic Church for causing widespread confusion on the continent. Lennox also condemned the media's obsession with "celebrity culture" for keeping the AIDS pandemic off the front page. In an attempt to counter this, during her address, she wore a T-shirt emblazoned with the words "HIV positive". Lennox wore similar T-shirts at the 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame concert at Madison Square Garden on 30 October 2009, while appearing on ''The Graham Norton Show'' on 30 November 2009 (where she performed the new song "Full Steam", a duet with singer David Gray), also during a recorded performance for ''American Idol'' during a 21 April 2010 fund-raiser, Idol Gives Back, and most recently during a performance on the live Comic Relief show on 18 March 2011. In June 2010, she was named as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for AIDS.

Lennox also supports the Burma Campaign UK, a non-governmental organisation that addresses the suffering in Burma and promotes democratisation.

In December 2010, it was confirmed that Lennox was in the New Years Honours List and would become an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in recognition of her humanitarian work. She received the award from Queen Elizabeth II on 28 June 2011.

Gay icon

Lennox has garnered a significant following within the LGBT community. According to ''The Advocate'', "her distinctive voice and provocative stage persona have made Lennox a longtime gay icon." With Eurythmics' music videos earning regular rotation on MTV in the 1980s, Lennox took part in the shaping of popular culture alongside other gay icons such as Boy George, Madonna, Morrissey, and Michael Stipe.

Music videos

Both during her work with Eurythmics and in her solo career, Lennox has made a number of music promo videos. The 1987 Eurythmics album ''Savage'' and her 1992 solo album ''Diva'' were both accompanied by video albums, both directed by Sophie Muller. Actors Hugh Laurie and John Malkovich appeared in the music video for "Walking on Broken Glass", while the video for "Little Bird" paid homage to the different images and personas that have appeared in some of Lennox's previous videos. The clip features Lennox performing on stage with several lookalikes (male and female) that represent her personas from "Why", "Walking on Broken Glass", "Sweet Dreams", "Beethoven", "I Need a Man", "Thorn in My Side", "There Must Be an Angel", and even her stage image from the 1992 Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert.

Personal life

Both of Lennox's parents died of cancer. Her first marriage from 1984 to 1985 was to a German Hare Krishna devotee Radha Raman. From 1988 to 2000, she was married to Israeli film and record producer Uri Fruchtmann. They have two daughters, Lola (born 1990) and Tali (born 1993). A son, Daniel, was stillborn in December 1988. Lennox describes herself as an agnostic and lives in Notting Hill, London.

Lennox was estimated to have a fortune of £30 million in the ''Sunday Times Rich List'' of 2010.

Discography

Studio albums

''Diva'' (1992)

''Medusa'' (1995)

''Bare'' (2003)

''Songs of Mass Destruction'' (2007)

''A Christmas Cornucopia'' (2010)

Compilation albums

''The Annie Lennox Collection'' (2009)

Awards and nominations

Lennox has received a variety of major awards during her career:

; American Music Awards

2008 – AMA Award of Merit for her work and her humanitarian efforts

; Academy Awards

2004 – Best Original Song ("Into the West")

; Grammy Awards

1984 – Best New Artist (Eurythmics) (nominated)

1986 – Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal (Eurythmics, "Would I Lie to You?") (nominated)

1987 – Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal (Eurythmics, "Missionary Man") (Won)

1993 – Album of the Year (''Diva'') (nominated)

1993 – Best Female Pop Vocal Performance (''Diva'') (nominated)

1993 – Best Music Video – Long Form (''Diva'') (Won)

1996 – Best Pop Album (''Medusa'') (nominated)

1996 – Best Female Pop Vocal Performance ("No More I Love You's") (Won)

2004 – Best Pop Album (''Bare'') (nominated)

2005 – Best Song Written For a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media ("Into the West") (Won)

; Ivor Novello Awards

1984 – Songwriter of the Year for Lennox and Dave Stewart

1987 – Songwriter of the Year for Lennox and Dave Stewart

1987 – Best contemporary song ("Its Alright, (Baby's Coming Back)")

1993 – Best Song ("Why")

; BRIT Awards

1984 – Best British Female Artist

1986 – Best British Female Artist

1989 – Best British Female Artist

1990 – Best British Female Artist

1993 – Best British Female Solo Artist

1993 – Best British Album (''Diva'')

1996 – Best British Female Solo Artist

1999 – Outstanding Contribution to British Music (Eurythmics)

; MTV Video Music Awards

1992 – Best Female Video ("Why")

; Golden Globe Awards

2004 – Best Original Song – Motion Picture ("Into the West")

; Honorary degrees and awards

1986 – Associate – Royal Academy of Music London

1997 – Fellowship – Royal Academy of Music London

2006 – Honorary Doctor of Music – The Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama

2006 – Fellowship – Edinburgh College of Art

2009 – Honorary Doctorate at the University of Edinburgh (awarded 20 October 2009), in recognition of her work in the field of HIV/AIDS, and her success as a recording artist.

; Other awards / titles / ambassadorships

2002 – Billboard Century Award by ''Billboard''

2008 – OUT magazine honoured Lennox for her work in the HIV and Aids field. The top 100 most influential people in Gay Culture.

2008 – The British Red Cross Services to Humanity Award

2008 – Glamour Magazine's Inspirational Woman of the Year Award

2008 – Honoured at the 2008 Youth AIDS Gala, for her contribution in helping the fight against HIV and AIDS

2008 – The German Sustainability "special achievement" award for her commitment in the fight against HIV and AIDS

2008 – Webby Award for official website www.annielennox.com

2009 – Save the Children "Amigo de los Niños" Award

2009 – Awarded the "Freedom of the City of London" by the British Red Cross for services to humanity in the field of HIV and AIDS

2009 – Nobel Peace Laureates for services to humanity

2010 – Patron of the Elton John Aids Foundation

2010 – Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Scotland

2010 – Ambassador for HIV/AIDS in London

2010 – UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador

2010 – Barclays Women of the Year Award

2010 – [International Service Award] for Global Defence of Human Rights

2010 – GQ Charity Woman of the Year Award

2010 – Harper's Bazaar Lifetime Achievement Award

2010 – OBE – Order of the British Empire for her work fighting AIDS and poverty in Africa

Footnotes

External links

Official Annie Lennox website

The SING Campaign website, founded By Annie Lennox">The SING Campaign website, founded By Annie Lennox

Annie Lennox official YouTube channel

Category:1954 births Category:Alumni of the Royal Academy of Music Category:Androgyny Category:Arista Records artists Category:Best Song Academy Award winning songwriters Category:Brit Award winners Category:Decca Records artists Category:Universal Music Group artists Category:Female rock singers Category:Scottish agnostics Category:Scottish singers Category:Scottish singer-songwriters Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Ivor Novello Award winners Category:Living people Category:People associated with Oxford Brookes University Category:People from Aberdeen Category:Scottish musicians Category:Scottish contraltos Category:Scottish female singers Category:Scottish pop singers Category:Scottish rock singers Category:Torch singers Category:Scottish activists Category:AIDS activists Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire Category:People educated at Harlaw Academy

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Coordinates	55°45′06″N37°37′04″N
Name	Aretha Franklin
Background	solo_singer
Birth name	Aretha Louise Franklin
Birth date	March 25, 1942
Birth place	Memphis, Tennessee, U.S.
Origin	Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Occupation	Singer, songwriter, pianist
Years active	1956–present
Genre	Soul, jazz, blues, R&B;, gospel, funk, rock
Instrument	Vocals, piano
Label	Columbia (1960–1966)Atlantic (1967–1979)Arista (1980–2003)Aretha Records (2004–)
Associated acts	Sweet Inspirations, Carolyn Franklin, Erma Franklin, Cissy Houston, Whitney Houston, George Benson, George Michael, Michael McDonald, Eurythmics, Mahalia Jackson }}

Aretha Louise Franklin (born March 25, 1942) is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as the Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B;, gospel music, and rock.

''Rolling Stone'' magazine ranked her atop its "100 Greatest Singers of All Time" list, as well as the ninth greatest artist of all time. She has won 18 Grammys and received two honorary Grammys. She has 20 No.1 singles on the Billboard R&B; Singles Chart and two No.1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: "Respect" (1967) and "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" (1987), a duet with George Michael. Since 1961, she has scored a total of 45 Top 40 hits on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. Between 1967 and 1982 she had 10 No.1 R&B; albums—more than any other female artist. In 1987, Franklin became the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Biography

Early life and career: 1942–1959

Aretha Louise Franklin (named for two aunts) was born in a two-room house in Memphis, Tennessee, at 406 Lucy Avenue. She was the third of four children born to Barbara (née Siggers) and C.L. Franklin and the fifth of six overall in between past relationships by her parents. Aretha's family moved to Buffalo when she was two years old, and then by four they had settled in Detroit. Following the move to Detroit, Franklin's parents, who had a troubled marriage, split. Due to her father's work as a Baptist minister, Franklin was primarily raised by her grandmother, Rachel. Her mother died in Buffalo when Aretha was ten. Franklin sang in church at an early age and learned how to play piano by ear.

By her late preteens, Franklin was regularly singing solo numbers in her father's New Bethel Baptist Church. C.L. (né Clarence LaVaughn) Franklin, Aretha's father, was a respected local preacher. She grew up with local and national celebrities hanging out at her father's home, including gospel greats Albertina Walker and her group The Caravans, Mahalia Jackson and Clara Ward, three women who played a pivotal role in her vocal development as a child.

Early success: 1960–1966

She released her first single for Columbia in September 1960, aged 18. It reached No. 10 on ''Billboard'''s R&B; chart. Her first album was released in January 1961. The label had her record mainly jazz-influenced pop music, hoping for success with this format as the label had with Billie Holiday. Columbia founder John H. Hammond acknowledged in an interview years later that he felt Columbia did not really understand Franklin's background in gospel and failed to bring that aspect out in her secular recordings. After scoring two more Top 10 R&B; hits with "Operation Heartbreak" and "Won't Be Long" in 1961, Franklin scored her first Top 40 pop hit with her rendition of "Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With a Dixie Melody", B-side of "operation Heartbreak". Later releases failed to find similar success, although Franklin had a near-Top 50 hit with "Runnin' Out of Fools" (1964) and the following year "bubbled under" with (No, No) I'm Losing You. In 1966 she scored a top 30 R&B; hit with Ashford & Simpson's "Cry Like A Baby".

After the release of a tribute album to Dinah Washington, Columbia drifted away from their early jazz dreams for Franklin and had the singer record renditions of girl group-oriented hits including "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's In His Kiss)", "Every Little Bit Hurts" and "Mockingbird" but every attempt to bring her success with the material failed. This did not, however, prevent her building a reputation as a multi-talented vocalist and musician. During a show in 1965, the master of ceremonies gave Franklin a tiara and declared her "the queen of soul". The title would prove to be prophetic. By 1966, struggling with recording for Columbia, Franklin decided not to sign a new contract with the label and settled on a deal with Atlantic. After she gained success at Atlantic, Columbia began releasing Franklin material from its vaults, and continues doing so.

Stardom: 1967–1972

Franklin began recording her first songs for Atlantic in early 1967. Initially sent to Muscle Shoals's legendary FAME studios where the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section was the in-house band, Franklin cut her first song – the blues ballad "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)", which finally allowed Franklin to show her gospel side. Tensions between Franklin's then-husband and then-manager Ted White and a musician led to Franklin and White hiding from public view in New York. Franklin eventually returned to the studio in New York to record the b-side, the gospel-oriented "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man". "I Never Loved a Man" soared up both the pop and R&B; charts upon its release peaking at number-nine and number-one respectively.

Her second single with Atlantic would also be her biggest, most acclaimed work. "Respect", originally recorded and written by R&B; singer Otis Redding, would become a bigger hit after Franklin's gospel-fueled rendition of the song. The song also started a pattern of Franklin in later songs during this period producing a call and response vocal with Franklin usually backed up by her sisters Erma and Carolyn Franklin or The Sweet Inspirations. Franklin is credited with arranging the background vocals and ad-libbing the line, "r-e-s-p-e-c-t, find out what it means to me/take care of TCB", while her sisters shouted afterwards, "sock it to me". Franklin's version peaked at number one on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100, becoming a 1960s anthem. Franklin had three more top ten hits in 1967 – "Baby I Love You", "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" and "Chain of Fools". "Respect" later won Franklin her first two Grammys. She eventually won eight consecutive Grammys under the Best Female R&B; Vocal Performance category.

By the end of the year, Franklin not only became a star but she stood as one of the symbols of the civil rights movement partially due to her rendition of "Respect", which had a feminist-powered theme after Franklin recorded it. Franklin's other hits during the late 1960s included "Think", her rendition of Dionne Warwick's "I Say a Little Prayer", "Ain't No Way" and "The House That Jack Built" among others. By the end of the 1960s, Franklin's title as "the queen of soul" became permanent in the eyes of the media. After a few struggles in 1969, she returned with the ballad, "Call Me" in January 1970. That same year she had another hit with her gospel version of Ben E. King's "Don't Play That Song", while in 1971, Franklin was one of the first black performers to headline Fillmore West where she later released a live album. That same year she released the acclaimed ''Young, Gifted & Black'' album, which featured two top ten hits, the ballad "Daydreamin'" and the funk-oriented "Rocksteady". In 1972, she released her first gospel album in nearly two decades with ''Amazing Grace''. The album eventually became her biggest-selling release ever, selling over two million copies and becoming the best-selling gospel album of all time.

Decline and fallout with Atlantic: 1973–1979

Aretha had another number-one R&B; hit in 1973 with the Carolyn Franklin and William "Sonny" Sanders-composed "Angel", however its parent album, ''Hey Now Hey (The Other Side of the Sky)'', failed to repeat the success of Franklin's other albums. By 1974, after four years performing in Afrocentric-styled clothing, the singer glammed up her look and styled red hair releasing ''Let Me In Your Life''. The album yielded the smash single, "Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)". While several singles would later find success on the R&B; charts, Franklin was losing favor with pop audiences as soul music was starting to be overtaken by the emerging disco genre. Atlantic Records had also by this point given priority attention to Roberta Flack, leading to relations between Franklin and the company becoming estranged as a result. Franklin turned down a number of tracks giving to her by Marvin Yancy and Chuck Jackson (though eventually they would contribute to her failed 1975 album, ''You''). Several of the songs including "This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)" were later recorded by Natalie Cole. After the arrivals of Cole, Chaka Khan, and Donna Summer Franklin's star ebbed.

She briefly returned to the top 40 in 1976 with the Curtis Mayfield production, ''Sparkle'', which spawned the number-one R&B; hit, "Giving Him Something He Can Feel". Despite this, Franklin struggled to find success with subsequent releases. After the release of 1979's ''La Diva'', an attempt for Franklin to find a disco audience that flopped, selling less than 50,000 copies, Franklin's contract with Atlantic expired. Neither Atlantic nor Aretha had any interest in renewing it. While she was performing in Las Vegas on June 10, 1979, Franklin's father, C.L., was shot during what was said to be an attempted robbery at his LaSalle Street home in Detroit. The incident left C.L. in a coma for the next five years. Aretha moved back to the Detroit area in late 1982 from Los Angeles (where she had lived since 1976) to help care for her father.

Comeback: 1980–1989

In 1980, Franklin, among other prominent rhythm and blues and soul artists including Ray Charles and James Brown, appeared in the film ''The Blues Brothers''. Franklin appeared as the wife of musician Matt "Guitar" Murphy, who engages in a brief war of words with Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi before going into "Think". Following that performance, Clive Davis signed Franklin to his Arista Records imprint. The singles "United Together" and the George Benson-featured "Love All the Hurt Away" returned Franklin to the R&B; top ten while 1982's ''Jump to It'', featuring a contemporary R&B; production style by Luther Vandross, became a comeback of sorts for Franklin on the pop music chart. The album stayed at No. 1 on the R&B; Albums chart for seven weeks and crossed to No. 23 on the ''Billboard'' 200 album chart, eventually selling close to 600,000 units and becoming Aretha's first gold-certified album since the ''Sparkle'' soundtrack in 1976. The title track became Franklin's first number-one R&B; hit in five years while also hitting No. 24 on the Hot 100. After the relative failure of her 1983 follow-up, ''Get It Right'', also produced by Vandross, Franklin took some personal time off. Following the July 1984 death of her father, she entered the United Sound Studios in Detroit to record a new album for Arista in October of that year. Inspired by the recent success of fellow artist Tina Turner and Arista's emerging star Whitney Houston, Franklin's goddaughter, Arista paired Franklin with Narada Michael Walden.

The album released in July 1985, ''Who's Zoomin' Who?'', featured R&B;, pop, dance, synthpop and rock elements and became Franklin's first platinum-certified success. The album launched several major hits including the title track and the Motown-inspired "Freeway of Love". The rock-influenced Annie Lennox duet, "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves" also became a hit for Franklin on the pop charts though it failed to climb higher than No.66 on the R&B; chart due to its more pop rock-leaning sound. Music videos for each of the singles became prominent fixtures on MTV, BET and VH-1 among other video channels. In 1986, Franklin released her follow-up album ''Aretha''. The album sold almost a million copies, and featured the number-one hit, "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)", a duet with George Michael. In April 1987, the song became Franklin's first single since "Respect" to hit No. 1 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.

Other hits from the album included a cover of "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and another Motown-inspired hit, "Jimmy Lee". In 1987 she returned to her gospel roots with the album, ''One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism'', which failed to repeat the success of ''Amazing Grace'' despite a powerful rendition of "Oh Happy Day", featuring Mavis Staples, but did reach the Top 10 of Billboard's gospel chart. In 1986, she sang the theme song ("Together") for the ABC television network.

Later work: 1989–2003

In 1989, Franklin returned with her first pop album in three years with ''Through the Storm'' but despite scoring a Top 20 hit with the title track featuring Elton John and the presence of Whitney Houston in their duet single, "It Isn't, It Wasn't, It Ain't Ever Gonna Be", the album tanked, as did a follow-up, 1991's new jack swing effort, ''What You See Is What You Sweat''. After singing Donny Hathaway's "Someday We'll All Be Free" on the ''Malcolm X soundtrack'' in 1992 and singing at US President Bill Clinton's inauguration ceremony in 1993, Franklin returned to favor with pop audiences later in 1993 with the release of the dance single "Deeper Love", which was featured on the soundtrack of ''Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit''. The following year, Franklin issued her Arista hits album and with Babyface released two singles, "Honey" and the top-40 pop ballad "Willing to Forgive". In 1995, her song "It Hurts Like Hell" appeared on the soundtrack for the movie ''Waiting to Exhale''. Four years passed until Franklin released another album. 1998's ''A Rose Is Still a Rose'' featured elements of neo soul and hip hop soul with production from Lauryn Hill, Jermaine Dupri and Sean "Puffy" Combs. The title track, written and produced by Hill, became Franklin's biggest hit in years, reaching number 26 on the Hot 100 and reaching the R&B; top five.

She later reprised her role as Matt "Guitar" Murphy's wife in the ''Blues Brothers'' sequel, ''Blues Brothers 2000'' singing "Respect". She struggled to record a successful follow-up, however, and it would be five more years before a new album emerged. Franklin issued her next album, ''So Damn Happy'', in 2003. The album was a critical and commercial failure, selling just over 100,000 copies.

2004–present

In 2003, after 23 years with Arista, Franklin parted with the company and decided to go on the independent route, forming Aretha's Records two years later. Franklin released a duets compilation album, ''Jewels in the Crown: All-Star Duets with the Queen'', in 2007. The album featured the Fantasia duet, "Put You Up on Game", which despite becoming a modest hit on Urban AC radio, stalled at No. 41 on the R&B; charts. A year later, Franklin issued her first holiday album, ''This Christmas, Aretha''. After initially being released as a Borders exclusive, it was later released by the DMI label.

In 2008, Franklin was honored as MusiCares "Person of the Year", two days prior to the 50th Annual Grammy Awards, where she was awarded her 18th career Grammy. Franklin was personally asked by then newly-elected President Barack Obama to perform at his inauguration singing "My Country 'tis of Thee". In 2010, Franklin received an honorary music degree from Yale University.

In 2010 and through early 2011, Franklin had told the media she had selected actress Halle Berry to play her in the featured role of the legendary singer in a biopic loosely based on Franklin's memoirs, ''Aretha: From These Roots''. In January 2011, Berry turned down the role. Franklin said she's now setting her sights on singers Fantasia and Jennifer Hudson on getting the lucrative role.

Marking her 50th anniversary in show business, Franklin released her thirty-eighth studio album, ''A Woman Falling Out Of Love'', on May 3, 2011, through WalMart. It is the first release off Franklin's own record label, Aretha's Records, a label she formed back in the 1990s. However, Aretha's new disc peaked at No. 54 on ''Billboard'''s album chart, dropping off after only two weeks. She co-produced some of the new tracks. Ronald Isley was featured in the album doing the Barbra Streisand standard, "The Way We Were", as he and Franklin covered the Carole King classic, "You've Got a Friend", first issued on Isley's ''Mr. I'' album.

Following her exit from the stage in November 2010 and her surgery the following month, Franklin has recently returned to the stage, rescheduling dates she was forced to cancel due to recent health problems.

In September 2011, Tony Bennett released a duet with Aretha entitled "How Do You Keep The Music Playing" from his new album, Duets II (Tony Bennett album).

Personal life

In March 1956, three days after her 14th birthday, Franklin gave birth to her eldest child, a son she named Clarence (for her father). In January 1957 she gave birth to another son, Edward. She never identified by name the father of either child. Her grandmother, Rachel, raised the boys while Aretha pursued her singing career. Rachel lived in a guest house behind C.L. Franklin's LaSalle Street home. (The Franklin family moved from their home on Boston Street in Detroit's North End section to LaSalle Street during the late 1950s.)

Against her father's wishes Aretha began dating a family acquaintance named Ted White. In 1961 they were quickly married in Ohio by a judge. White became her personal manager as well as co-writer. Shortly afterward, she purchased a house on Sorrento Avenue in northwest Detroit, where she resided for the next decade. She and White divorced in 1969. Their son Teddy (Ted White Jr.), born in 1964, is the musical director and guitarist of her touring band.

From 1969 until 1976, she had a seven-year relationship with her road manager Ken Cunningham. (Although she and White did not divorce until late 1969, Aretha conceived her fourth child in June of that year.) In the early 1970s the couple moved from Detroit to New York City, at which time Aretha's grandmother moved into her Sorrento Avenue home. Their son Kecalf (from the initials of his parents' names: Kenneth E Cunningham Aretha Louise Franklin and pronounced "kelf") was born on March 28, 1970 at Detroit's Henry Ford Hospital.

On April 11, 1978, Aretha Franklin married actor Glynn Turman at her father's New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit. Franklin's father performed the marriage ceremony. The couple returned to their home in Encino, California. In late 1982, Franklin moved back to Detroit, and in 1985 she purchased a home in Bloomfield Hills, where she still resides. Turman and Franklin divorced in early 1984. The couple did not have children. They remained friends, and she sang the theme song for his show, ''A Different World'', in the late 1980s. Franklin's sisters Erma and Carolyn are both deceased, as is her brother Cecil. As of January 2012, her half-brother Vaughn (born 1934) is alive, as is her half-sister, Carl Ellan Kelley (née Jennings; born 1940). Kelley is C.L. Franklin's daughter by Mildred Jennings, a then 13-year-old congregant of New Salem Baptist Church of Memphis, Tennessee, where C.L. was pastor in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Franklin's sons, Ted White Jr. ("Teddy") and Kecalf Cunningham, are active in the music business. White has been a guitarist in Aretha's backup band since the late 1980s, while Cunningham works as a Christian hip-hop rapper and producer.

Aretha Franklin is a registered Democrat.

In September 2010, her son Edward was attacked and severely beaten by three people while at a gas station on Plymouth Road, near Evergreen, in northwest Detroit.

Franklin's long friendship with Cissy Houston during Houston's time with The Sweet Inspirations led to Franklin becoming Whitney Houston's godmother. Cissy Houston sang the operatic soprano whoop in the background of Franklin's "Ain't No Way".

On January 1, 2012, Franklin announced that she and William Wilkerson were engaged. Franklin revealed that they were planning to exchange nuptials at a ceremony on a private yacht in Miami, Florida in June 2012.

On January 23, 2012, Franklin announced via Facebook that she and Wilkerson will not marry at the present time. Wilkerson has since moved out of Aretha's house in West Bloomfield and returned to his government-subsidised Detroit apartment.

On February 11, 2012, Whitney Houston, Franklin's goddaughter, died in Beverly Hills from unknown causes. Aretha was devastated by her death and said it was "so stunning and unbelievable". She planned to perform at the memorial service on February 18, but her representative claimed that "Aretha is ill and will not perform at the memorial service". However, Aretha was well enough to perform at Radio City Music Hall mere hours after the funeral had taken place.

2010 surgery and rumors of cancer

In 2010, Franklin suffered a pain in her side which she said, "was so hard it almost brought me to my knees." After continuing a concert tour, the pain recurred, and she subsequently underwent surgery for an undisclosed ailment. At this time, rumors surfaced that she was suffering from pancreatic cancer. In discussing the events in 2011, she has said that this was not the case and that her doctor told her, "the surgery that you just had is going to add 15 to 20 more years to your life."

Connection to the Civil Rights Movement

Franklin’s music and civil rights involvement cannot be separated for it was through music, which Franklin was able to reach out to so many and empower those who had felt so long oppressed.

Aretha Franklin first became connected with the civil rights movement through her father, Reverend C.L. Franklin. Rev. Franklin was an influential preacher who traveled the country as well as recorded a weekly sermon for the radio station, WLAC, which reached 65 percent of the African-American population. It was these same tours that Aretha would begin her singing career. Rev. Franklin would also introduce Aretha to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. starting a life long friendship between the two.

It was Franklin's soulful sound, which would become the driving anthem of the civil rights movement or as poet Nikki Giovanni put it “the voice of the civil rights movement, the voice of the black America”.

Through Franklin’s album ‘I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You’, hit ‘Respect’ rose to the top. Her strong voice asking for something as simple as respect reflects the cries of the civil rights movement. Her lyrics mirror that of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s ‘I Have A Dream’ speech. Most notably the lines “Now is the time to lift our nation from the quicksands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God’s children”. While the civil rights movement was already in motion before Franklin became a prominent figure she had now lent it a soundtrack.

Franklin did not have to do much to help propel the civil rights movement. “Her own sense of pride and her dignified stance, she represented the new black woman of the late 1960s”. Franklin’s own sound and present were enough to reflect the ideas of the movement and were what caused her to become a notable figure in the cause.

Franklin was not actively heading demonstrations or participating in sit-ins, but she was able to do her part and use her talent to help the movement. She would numerous times perform at rallies with the King, lending her voice and fame to pull in crowds.

Awards and achievements

On June 28, 1968 she became the second African-American woman to appear on the cover of ''TIME'' magazine.

On August 1, 1968, she sang the National Anthem at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, IL.

In 1985, then-Gov. James Blanchard of Michigan declared her voice “a natural resource” during a ceremony that marked her 25 years in show business.

Aretha Franklin is one of three musicians, along with Madonna & Marvin Gaye, to have singles peak at each of the top 10 positions on the US Billboard Hot 100.

On January 20, 1987, she became the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

On March 29, 1987, Franklin sang "America the Beautiful" at ''WrestleMania III''.

In September 1999, she was awarded The National Medal of Arts by President Clinton.

In 2004, ''Rolling Stone'' ranked her ninth on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

In 2005, she was awarded The Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush.

In 2005, she became the second woman (Madonna being the first) to be inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame.

In 2005, Franklin was inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame.

On February 6, 2006, she performed, along with Aaron Neville, "The Star-Spangled Banner" at Super Bowl XL.

On May 13, 2006, she was presented with an honorary Doctor of Music degree by the Berklee College of Music.

On April 1, 2007 Aretha sang "America the Beautiful" at ''WrestleMania 23.''

On May 14, 2007, she was presented with an honorary Doctor of Music degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

In 2007, Aretha Franklin's recording of "Respect" was voted a Legendary Michigan Song.

Is an honorary member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority

On February 8, 2008, Franklin was honored as MusiCares "Person of the Year".

On February 14, 2008, Franklin was given the Vanguard award at the NAACP Image awards.

On May 4, 2008, Franklin was given the Key to the City of Memphis at the 2008 "Memphis in May International Music Festival" by Mayor Dr. Willie Herenton during her performance onstage.

On September 13, 2008, Franklin was ranked No. 19 on the ''Billboard Hot 100 All-Time Top Artists'' list by ''Billboard''. November 2008, Franklin was named by ''Rolling Stone'' as the No. 1 all-time best singer of the rock era, according to the magazine's survey of 179 musicians, producers, Rolling Stone editors, and other music industry insiders.

On January 20, 2009, Franklin performed "My Country, 'Tis of Thee" during the inauguration ceremony of Barack Obama.

On May 23, 2010, Franklin received an Honorary Doctorate in Music from Yale University. On June 1, 2010, Aretha Franklin's recording of "Chain Of Fools" was voted a Legendary Michigan Song. On February 13, 2011, the Grammy Awards paid tribute to Franklin with a medley of her classics by fellow singers Christina Aguilera, Florence Welch, Jennifer Hudson, Martina McBride and Yolanda Adams

On October 16, 2011, Franklin sang "Precious Lord (Take My Hand)" for Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s memorial dedication ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Grammy Awards

Franklin has won 18 performance Grammy Awards, and two honorary Grammys: the Grammy Legend Award (1991) and the Recording Academy Lifetime Achievement Award (1994).

She holds the record for most Best Female R&B; Vocal Performance awards, with eleven to her name (including eight consecutive awards from 1968 to 1975 – the first eight awarded in that category).

{|class="wikitable" |- !colspan="5"|Aretha Franklin's 18 Grammy Award Wins |- !# !Year !Category !Genre !Title |- | 1 || style="text-align:center;"| 1968 || Best Rhythm & Blues Recording || R&B; ||Respect |- | 2 || style="text-align:center;"| 1968 || |Best Female R&B; Vocal Performance || R&B; || Respect |- | 3 || style="text-align:center;"| 1969 || Best Female R&B; Vocal Performance || R&B; || Chain Of Fools |- | 4 || style="text-align:center;"| 1970 || Best Female R&B; Vocal Performance || R&B; || Share Your Love With Me |- | 5 || style="text-align:center;"| 1971 || Best Female R&B; Vocal Performance || R&B; || Don't Play That Song For Me |- | 6 || style="text-align:center;"| 1972 || Best Female R&B; Vocal Performance || R&B; || Bridge Over Troubled Water |- | 7 || style="text-align:center;"| 1973 || Best Female R&B; Vocal Performance || R&B; || Young, Gifted and Black (album) |- | 8 || style="text-align:center;"| 1973 || Best Soul Gospel Performance || Gospel || Amazing Grace (album) |- | 9 || style="text-align:center;"| 1974 || Best Female R&B; Vocal Performance || R&B; || Master Of Eyes |- |10 || style="text-align:center;"| 1975 || Best Female R&B; Vocal Performance || R&B; || Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing |- |11 || style="text-align:center;"| 1982 || Best Female R&B; Vocal Performance || R&B; || Hold On...I'm Comin' (album track) |- |12 || style="text-align:center;"| 1986 || Best Female R&B; Vocal Performance || R&B; || Freeway Of Love |- |13 || style="text-align:center;"| 1988 || Best Female R&B; Vocal Performance || R&B; || Aretha (album) |- |14 || style="text-align:center;"| 1988 || Best R&B; Performance – Duo Or Group with Vocals || R&B; || I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me) (with George Michael) |- |15 || style="text-align:center;"| 1989 || Best Soul Gospel Performance – Female || Gospel || One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism (album) |- |*|| style="text-align:center;"| 1991 || Living Legend Award || Special | |- |*|| style="text-align:center;"| 1994 || Lifetime Achievement Award || Special | |- |16 || style="text-align:center;"| 2004 || Best Traditional R&B; Vocal Performance || R&B; || Wonderful |- |17|| style="text-align:center;"| 2006 || Best Traditional R&B; Vocal Performance || R&B; || A House Is Not A Home |- |18|| style="text-align:center;"| 2008 || Best Gospel-Soul Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group || Gospel |Never Gonna Break My Faith (with Mary J. Blige) |}

Discography

Top 10 US Hot 100 singles

Year	Title	Peak
1967	"I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)"
1967
1967
1967	"(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman"
1967
1968	"(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone"
1968
1968	"The House That Jack Built"
1968	"I Say a Little Prayer"
1971
1971
1971
1972
1973	"Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)"
1985	"Freeway of Love"
1985	"Who's Zoomin' Who"
1987	"I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" (with George Michael)

Source:

All no. 1 hits in US R&B; 100 singles

Year	Title
1967	"I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)"
1967
1967
1967
1968	"(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone"
1968
1969	"Share Your Love with Me"
1970
1970	"Don't Play That Song (You Lied)"
1971
1971
1972
1973
1973	"Until You Come Back to Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)"
1974
1976	"Something He Can Feel"
1977
1982
1983
1985	"Freeway of Love"

Source:

Filmography

Movies / Concerts / Documentaries

''The Blues Brothers'' (1980)

''Motown 40: The Music Is Forever'' (1998) (ABC-TV documentary)

''Blues Brothers 2000'' (1998)

''DIVAS LIVE'' (1998)

''Immaculate Funk'' (2000) (documentary)

''Rhythm, Love and Soul'' (2002)

''Tom Dowd & the Language of Music'' (2003) (documentary)

''Singing in the Shadow: The Children of Rock Royalty'' (2003) (documentary)

''From The Heart / The Four Tops 50th Anniversary and Celebration'' (2004)

''Atlantic Records: The House that Ahmet Built'' (2007) (documentary)

Television

''The Tonight Show / Johnny Carson''

''The Mike Douglas Show''

In 1972, she had a role in the TV show Room 222

''Solid Gold'' (numerous appearances with the last in 1982 performing "Jump To It")

''Kelly & Company'' (Marilyn Turner and John Kelly, Detroit)

''Dayna'' (Dayna Eubanks, fomer Detroit newscaster)

''Rolonda Show'' (Rolonda Watts)

''The Oprah Winfrey Show'' (numerous appearances including Oprah's 40th birthday, with Patti LaBelle and Gladys Knight)

''Live with Regis and Kelly'' (numerous appearances)

''The View''

References

External links

Aretha Franklin at Legacy Recordings

Aretha Franklin at NPR Music

Category:1942 births Category:African American pianists Category:African American female singer-songwriters Category:American child singers Category:American gospel singers Category:American rhythm and blues singer-songwriters Category:American soul singers Category:Arista Records artists Category:Atlantic Records artists Category:Baptists from the United States Category:Columbia Records artists Category:Feminist musicians Category:Grammy Award winners Category:Grammy Legend Award Category:Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winners Category:Kennedy Center honorees Category:Living people Category:Musicians from Tennessee Category:Musicians from Detroit, Michigan Category:MusiCares Person of the Year Category:Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients Category:Rhythm and blues pianists Category:Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Category:Songwriters from Michigan Category:United States National Medal of Arts recipients

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