Only a Few Months After 1967 Break-Out Year - Aretha Franklin Gets Day in Detroit By February 1968, Aretha Franklin had solidified her reputati
Only a Few Months After 1967 Break-Out Year – Aretha Franklin Gets Day in Detroit
By February 1968, Aretha Franklin had solidified her reputation as one of the world’s foremost recording artists. Her genre-defying music garnered both commercial success and critical acclaim, resonating with diverse audiences across racial boundaries. The previous year marked a turning point with the release of I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You), her groundbreaking debut for Atlantic Records. Produced by Jerry Wexler and recorded at Rick Hall’s Fame Studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, the album showcased Franklin’s raw talent. It included her dynamic rendition of Otis Redding’s “Respect,” which soared to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, as well as the soulful candor of the album’s title track.
Later that year, Franklin collaborated again with Wexler and engineer Tom Dowd on her follow-up album, Aretha Arrives, featuring the hit single “Baby I Love You,” which peaked at Number Four on the Billboard Hot 100. Then, in January 1968, Lady Soul was released, delivering hits like “Chain of Fools” and “A Natural Woman (You Make Me Feel Like),” co-written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King. Both tracks secured Top 10 spots on the Billboard Hot 100. That same year, legendary soul DJ Pervis Spann (WVON Chicago) ceremoniously crowned Franklin as the “Queen of Soul” during a performance at Chicago’s Regal Theater—a title she would forever embody.
Aretha Franklin, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in Detroit, February 16, 1968.
Her growing acclaim set the stage for a triumphant homecoming. On February 16, 1968, Franklin performed a remarkable concert at Detroit’s Cobo Hall. During the event, Detroit Mayor Jerome P. Cavanaugh officially declared the day “Aretha Franklin Day,” and local radio personality Martha Jean “The Queen” Steinberg described her as “everybody’s soul sister.” The evening also included honors from music publications like Billboard, Cash Box, and Record World, which commended her accomplishments of the previous year. Before an audience of more than 12,000 fans, Franklin dazzled in a sleek lime-green dress adorned with feathers, performing a captivating 90-minute set. She effortlessly transitioned between the piano and the stage, accompanied by The Sweet Inspirations, including Cissy Houston. Their renditions of hits like “Natural Woman” and “Respect” electrified the crowd. Aretha Franklin’s “homecoming” concert at Cobo Hall, also set a record for a single concert event, a record set for the auditorium, at the time. The concert hit a $60,000 gross that evening.
A particularly poignant moment of the night was the appearance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who had traveled to Detroit despite having laryngitis. He presented Franklin with a special award on behalf of the Southern Christian Leadership Council, acknowledging her role in shaping African-American identity during the Civil Rights Movement. The friendship between Dr. King and Franklin’s father, the Rev. C.L. Franklin, underscored the significance of the moment. Although King couldn’t speak, his mere presence deeply moved the audience of 12,000. Less than two months later, on April 4, 1968, Dr. King was tragically assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee.
Aretha Franklin’s career soared to incredible heights in 1967 and 1968, marking a transformative period for the Queen of Soul. Here’s a snapshot of her achievements during those years:
1967 ALBUMS
– I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You: This was her debut album with Atlantic Records, released in March 1967. It featured the iconic track “Respect,” which became a cultural anthem and reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album also included the soulful title track and “Do Right Woman, Do Right Man.”
– Aretha Arrives: Released in August 1967, this album included hits like “Baby I Love You,” which peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100, and her rendition of “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.”
1967 HITS
– “Respect” became a defining song of her career and a symbol of empowerment.
– “Baby I Love You” showcased her vocal prowess and emotional depth.
1968 ALBUMS:
– Lady Soul: Released in January 1968, this album featured classics like “Chain of Fools,” “A Natural Woman (You Make Me Feel Like),” and “Since You’ve Been Gone (Sweet Sweet Baby).” It solidified her status as a soul icon.
– Aretha Now: Released in June 1968, this album included hits like “Think” and “I Say a Little Prayer,” both of which became enduring favorites.
1968 HITS:
– “Chain of Fools” and “A Natural Woman” both charted in the Billboard Hot 100 Top 10.
– “Think” became another anthem of empowerment, showcasing her ability to blend social commentary with irresistible grooves.
In 1968, Miss Franklin reportedly earned more than $750,000. Atlantic Records reaped a portion of Aretha’s record harvest in return for a million-dollar contract payable over the next several years. That year, Time magazine honored Miss Franklin with a front cover, in the June 28 issue, marking her official coronation as “Lady Soul.”
Those years not only brought Aretha commercial success but also established her as a cultural and musical force. Her music resonated deeply with audiences, transcending genres and breaking barriers. In the following years, Aretha Franklin continued to release a remarkable series of albums. Between 1970 and 1972 alone, she unveiled five records, including Spirit In The Dark and Young, Gifted And Black. These works offered profound insights into the American experience, blending soulful commentary on both history and the contemporary moment.
Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, passed away on August 16, 2018, at the age of 76. She died at her home in Detroit, Michigan, surrounded by family and friends. The cause of her death was advanced pancreatic cancer of the neuroendocrine type.
Her passing marked the end of an extraordinary life and career, but her legacy continues to inspire and resonate with her fans, here, and around the world.
