Fun Fact Friday

You have made it to Friday ya’ll, good for you!  Here comes the weekend. 

In honor of the Queen of Soul departing the Earth, today will be facts about Aretha Franklin.

1. Aretha Louise Franklin was born March 25, 1942 in Memphis, TN.
2. Her father was a minister and gospel singer.  Her mother was also a gospel singer.
3. She could sing in almost 4 octaves which is rare.
4. Aretha was an extremely private person.
5. Her father was shot by burglars in 1979 and remained in a coma until his death in 1984.
6. She had 44 Grammy nominations and 18 wins.
7. She was a self-taught pianist, who learned by ear without knowing how to read music.
8. She had an extreme fear of flying after being in a turbulent flight.
9. She was a high school dropout with two honorary doctorates of music, from Berklee College of Music and Yale University.
10. She was seen as a symbol of black equality and female empowerment.
11. There is a street in Detroit named after her.
12. She started her own record label “Aretha’s Records.”
13. She became pregnant at 12 years old with the first of her four sons.
14. She was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987 and deemed “Lady Soul.”
15. She died the same day as Elvis, the King of Rock and Roll — only 41 years later.
16.  In 2005, she was given the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
17. Her sisters, Carolyn and Erma, sang background vocals on several of her early recordings.
18. She was Whitney Houston’s “honorary Aunt.”

Rest in Peace, your voice will live on forever!

Until next time, you are NOT alone!  –Jenn