Honor Aretha Franklin

March 25, 1942 - August 16, 2018

Point of intrigue -

Beyond her gifted musical talent, Aretha Franklin was a Civil Rights activist, women's rights activist, and a supporter of Native American rights.

Honors -

Hollywood Walk of Fame (1973)

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1987)*

*First woman to be inducted

Kennedy Center Honoree (1994)

National Medal of Arts (1999)

Presidential Medal of Freedom (2005)

Inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame (2015)

Inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame (2005)*

*Second woman to be inducted

Pulitzer Prize Special Citation (2019)*

*"indelible contribution to American music and culture for more than five decades" ... First woman to receive the Pulitzer Prize Special Citation

Other Honors -

Inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame (2005)

No. 19 on Billboard Hot 100 All--Time Top Artists (2011)

Inducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame (2018)

Doctor of Humane Letters

(Case Western Reserve University 2011 & Wayne State University 1990)

Awards -

Grammy Legend Award (1991)

Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (1994)

MusiCares Person of the Year (2008)

(Honors musicians for artistic achievement in the music industry and dedication to philanthropy) 

*Awards & Nominations -

Grammy Award Nominee 44 times

Grammy Award Winner 18 times

11 Albums Nominated for a Grammy Award

4 Albums Grammy Award WInner

American Music Award Nominee 2 times

American Music Award Winner 3 times

Critics' Choice Movie Award Nominee once

Golden Globe Award Nominee once

MTV Video Music Award Nominee 2 times

NAACP Award Winner 3 times

TV Land Award Winner once

Honorary Degrees -

Harvard University (2014)

New York University (2014)

(Law) Bethune-Cookman University (1975)

Honorary Doctorates -

(Music) Princeton University (2012)

(Music) Yale University (2010)

(Music) Brown University (2009)

(Music) University of Pennsylvania (2007)

Berklee College of Music (2006)

New England Conservatory of Music (1997)

University of Michigan (1987)

(Source - Wikipedia)*

Aretha Franklin background

*(Source - Wikipedia)

Aretha Franklin Awards & Nominations

Where normally I offer my take away at the end of an impressive history behind a given musician, I will end on only one note - always respect "the queen of soul."