Aretha Franklin: America’s Soul

This week, we mourn the loss of the ‘Queen of Soul’ and R&B pioneer, Aretha Franklin. Franklin passed away Thursday morning, August 16^th at the age of 76. Franklin was surrounded by family and friends in her Detroit home, her publicist announced. The “Rock Steady” singer had been battling pancreatic cancer off & on since 2010. Aretha Franklin is best known for her contributions to the R&B/Soul genre during the 60s-70s and became the first woman to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Franklin was also known for her contributions as a civil rights activists. Rolling Stone ranked