After receiving hospice care from her home in Detroit for several days now, "The Queen Of Soul" Aretha Franklin has passed away this morning. The musical Icon was much more than friendly face in a sea of "big industry"counterfeits; in the late 60s, Aretha became an important proponent of mainstream civil rights groups within the movement.
Franklin, the daughter of a preacher in Memphis, was groomed from a young age for gospel superstardom. Within the breath of her image, her signature syncopation, her mannerisms, and most importantly her expressed kindness, Franklin became one of the leading figures in 20th century American culture, even in quietest of moments.
Her most identifiable hit "Respect" only scratches the surface of her unending relevance. Aretha won 18 Grammys in her storied career, including two legacy awards three years apart from each other in 1991 and 1994. she was also inducted in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the first woman ever to achieve the honor.
In recent years she was doted for showing up when called upon, either at ceremonies celebrating the past, or at Barack Obama's 2009 inauguration where she famously wore a metric ton of fabric on her head. Rest in Power Aretha, you will sorely missed but never forgotten.