Aretha Franklin blossomed into arguably the greatest singer of all time, but the fame and acclaim wasn’t achieved overnight. The Queen of Soul flexed her enviable vocal chords from a young age, which took her from singing in the church to ultimately signing a major record contract and releasing her debut album at the age of 18.
Scroll through the below photos showing scenes from early on in her career on her way to fully earning her iconic nickname.
1. Denise Nicholas And Aretha Franklin On ‘Room 222’
Denise Nicholas and Aretha Franklin on ABC Television series, ‘Room 222,’ January 14, 1972. (Photo by ABC via Getty Images)
2. Aretha Franklin, circa 1960s
3. Aretha Franklin At The 50th Annual Academy Awards
Aretha Franklin at the 50th Annual Academy Awards, April 3, 1978. (Photo by ABC via Getty Images)
4. Muhammad Ali And Aretha Franklin On Muhammad Ali Variety Special
(L-R) Muhammad Ali and Aretha Franklin on Muhammad Ali Variety Special, May 16, 1975. (Photo by ABC via Getty Images)
5. Aretha Franklin Singing On Muhammad Ali Variety Special
Aretha Franklin on Muhammad Ali Variety Special, May 16, 1975. (Photo by ABC via Getty Images)
6. Aretha Franklin, circa 1970s
7. Aretha Franklin Singing With Tom Jones On ‘This Is Tom Jones’
Aretha Franklin with Tom Jones on ‘This is Tom Jones,’ October 9, 1970. (Photo by ABC via Getty Images)
8. Aretha Franklin Performing at Madison Square Garden
Singer Aretha Franklin performing at a Martin Luther King Jr. tribute called Soul Together on June 28, 1968 at Madison Square Garden in New York. (Photo by PoPsie Randolph/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
9. Aretha Franklin sur scène
Aretha Franklin performs at a jazz festival. (Photo by GAMMA/Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images)
10. Aretha Fanklin pictured in the summer of 1970
Aretha Fanklin pictured in London, 28th July 1972. (Photo by Eric Piper/Mirrorpix/Getty Images)
11. Aretha Franklin In Boston In 1971
BOSTON, MA – SEPTEMBER 16: Aretha Franklin performs at the Boston Commons on Sept. 16, 1971. (Photo by John Blanding/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) vertical,photography,people,one person,arts culture and entertainment,usa,performance,1970-1979,boston – massachusetts,archival,aretha franklin,massachusetts,boston common
