Often referred to as the first Punk group, The Ramones, an American rock band, was formed in Forest Hills, New York by lead singer Joey Ramone, guitarist Johnny Ramone and bassist Dee Dee Ramone.

The Ramones recorded their first album “Ramones,” a collection of fast and short songs, on a budget of just $6400. The albums had little commercial success and it was their live shows in the UK and Toronto that helped them become a popular live act on the punk scene. Their next two albums “Leave Home” and “Rocket to Russia” released in 1977 were well received by the critics but did badly commercially.

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After 1978, the band’s music started to included news sounds like the acoustic guitar and even some ballads and in 1980, Phil Spector produced the Album “End of the Century” which gave them their highest charts positions both in the US and the UK. Johnny Ramone made it clear that he always favoured the bands more aggressive punk style.

After releasing several more albums, the band toured, who had toured for 22 years, playing 2,263 concerts disbanded after a farewell show with the Lollapalooza music festival in 1996.

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Albums: (All albums are released under the label Sire, unless otherwise noted)

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Cardiacs

Michael Monroe

The Almighty

Rock Stars Dead Before Their Time

The Stranglers are an English rock music group with a long and successful career. The Stranglers, originally called the Guildford Stranglers, were formed on September 11th 1974 in Guildford, Surrey. The original band members included singer and guitarist Hugh Cornwell, keyboardist Dave Greenfield, bass guitarist Jean-Jacques Burnel and drummer Jet Black (Brian Duffy).

The Stranglers originally built a following in the pub rock scene during the mid 1970s but soon branched out into other music styles. They became one of the main bands associated with the beginning of the punk rock scene because of their black humour and confrontational attitude. This has been attributed partly to the fact that they supported The Ramones on their first British tour. The Stranglers are difficult to classify as part of one music genre having explored a variety of music styles including new wave, gothic rock and pop.

In 1990, one of the founding members, Hugh Cornwell, left the band to pursue a solo career. The remaining band members continued touring and maintained their live profile.

The Stranglers are the longest- surviving band that originated in the UK in the mid to late 1970s as part of the punk scene. They have continued to be successful for more than three decades. During which they have had more than 32 UK top 40 hits. Their Greatest Hits CD has sold more than a million copies and their songs have been featured in films. Golden Brown was featured in the film Snatch.

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The Stranglers have recently returned to a four piece band. Band members include keyboardist Dave Greenfield, bass guitarist and singer Jean-Jacques Burnel, drummer Jet Black and singer and guitarist Baz Warne who joined The Stranglers in 2001. The Stranglers released their latest album, Suite XVI in January 2007.

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The Doors

Patti Smith

The Ramones

The 10 Unluckiest Rock Stars

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The Jam, were an English rock band from Surrey in Woking that had huge success from 1975–1982. The media often labelled The Jam a Punk- Rock trio, although Paul Weller (lead vocal and guitar), Bruce Foxton (bass) and Rick Buckler (drums) infused clear elements of Soul, R‘n’B, New wave as well as punk elements into there music. The Jam are closely associated with the mod revival of the late 1970’s that was inspired by groups like The Kinks and The Who (popular in the 60’s).

The band was formed at Sheerwater high school, which all three members attended; they began playing gigs in and around London in 1976. The next year they signed a deal with Universal music subsidiary Polydor records and released their debut album “In the City”, the album produced two successful singles “In the City” and “All Around World”, the success allowed them to embark on an extensive tour across the U.K.

In the following years, armed with their sharp tailored suits, Harrington jackets and penny loafers (common attire among mod-revivalist’s), The Jam had top 10 albums all the way up until 1982, when the band split after the number 1 selling album “The Gift”. The main reason for the split was Paul Weller’s interest in a different musical direction; he formed The Style council in 1983 and eventually went on to a solo career. Weller is often labelled one of the U.K’s great singer-songwriters. The other members of the group both went there separate ways and formed bands of the there own, with no real commercial success.

In 2007, The Jam reunited minus Paul Weller and minus his support, in 2006 having been asked for his thoughts on a reunion he said “ Me and my children would have to be destitute and starving in the gutter before I’d even consider that”. Un-phased the remaining members toured the U.K, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and New York in the United States. Ironically attaining more success in the U.S than when they were at their peak, proving that there is still a strong global thirst for the unique brand of British music The Jam created at the height of there success.

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Albums:

Segun Murray Ogunsheye

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Paul Weller

Ocean Colour Scene

Oasis

The Gallaghers Argue Part 1

The Gallaghers Argue Part 2

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Alice Cooper, born Vincent Damon Furnier on 4th February 1948, is an American rock singer and composer. With a career that has spanned more than 40 years, Alice Cooper’s shock rock has brought both infamy and success, with 50 million records sold worldwide and a reputation for Vaudeville-like horror stage shows.

"We brought theatrics to rock 'n' roll. We did it before Bowie, we did it before Kiss and before anybody,” Cooper has said in an interview. This shock factor even seems to extend to Alice Cooper’s personal life.  As one of the progenitors of heavy metal, and the first to introduce horror imagery to rock music, it’s something of a surprise to learn that Rolling Stone’s “World’s Most Beloved Entertainer” is a Christian golfer, actor, restaurateur and DJ.

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Alice Cooper was originally the name of Furnier’s band, with Furnier singing and playing the harmonica, supported by guitarists Glen Buxton and Michael Bruce, bassist Dennis Dunaway and drummer Neal Smith. The band was signed to Frank Zappa’s Straight Records in 1969, but commercial success took some time. Their first release, ‘Pretties For You’, floundered low in the charts, and ‘Easy Action’ didn’t do much better the year after. Having been signed to Straight for three albums, the next chance for Alice Cooper to make a successful record may well have been their last. Fortunately, success came.  Teaming up with producer Bob Ezrin, ‘Love It To Death’, as the album was called, was released in 1971 and reached #35 in the US charts after their earlier single, ‘I’m Eighteen’ had reached #21 in the Billboard Hot 100. In the summer of 1972, the single ‘School’s Out’ reached new heights, reaching top spot in the UK and a place in the top 10 of the US charts. ‘Billion Dollar Babies’, the band’s most commercially successful album, was released a year later, reaching the top spot in both the UK and US charts.

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In 1975, Furnier broke away from the rest of the band and used the pseudonym Alice Cooper to start his solo career. The concept album ‘Welcome to My Nightmare’ was his first solo release, reaching the top 10 in the US charts, and it was accompanied by a TV special, ‘The Nightmare’, which represents the first music video album ever made. However, Furnier’s alcoholism began to take its toll, and he booked himself into a sanitarium in 1977. In 1983, Furnier was hospitalized for his alcohol abuse, and he took a year-long career break. Between then and Furnier’s most recent release, 2008’s ‘Along Came A Spider’, Alice Cooper has enjoyed consistently good commercial successes and high acclaim for his musical innovation and often groundbreaking cross-media work, not to mention being commonly credited with the inspiration for more than one generation’s musical talents. 

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Born Vincent Damián Fumier, December 25, 1945 (one source says February 4, 1948), in Detroit, MI; son of a protestant minister; married, two children.

Began career during high school as member of the Earwigs; group relocated to Los Angeles, 1968, and changed name to the Spiders, then the Nazz, then Alice Cooper; released first two records on Frank Zappa's Straight Records label; signed to Warner Bros., 1971; launched solo career and released first solo album, Welcome to My Nightmare, 1975; moved to MCA records; moved to Epic Records, and released Trash, 1989. Appeared in films Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, 1978, Sextette, 1979, Roadie, 1980, Monster Dog, 1982, Decline of Western Civilization Part II, 1988, Wayne's World, 1992, and Nightmare on Elm Street Part VI, 1992.

Addresses: Home—Scottsdale, AZ. Record company—Epic Records, 51 West 52nd St., New York, NY 10019.

The release of Cooper's first solo album, 1975's Welcome To My Nightmare, was accompanied by a successful prime-time television special. The album contained an unlikely hit, the ballad "Only Women Bleed." Other cuts demonstrated Cooper's still-sharp penchant for theatrics, including the sinister "Black Widow"—which in concert featured human-sized spiders crawling across a giant web suspended across the stage—and the surreal "Escape," where in live performance Cooper was chased by a ten-foot-tall one-eyed monster.

In keeping with the punk/new-wave era of the late 1970s and early 1980s, Cooper in 1980 released Flush the Fashion. Flush is best remembered for the single "Clones (We Are All)"; its liberal use of the Moog synthesizer and monotone vocal style were both indicative of the popular "cold wave" style of the day. David Fricke of Rolling Stone reported that Flush the Fashion "wisely scrapped the flatulent vaudeville trappings and tragicomic pretensions of [Cooper's] late seventies work and reassumed the punk mantle he wore when the original Alice band was cutting a [Civil War Union] General Sherman-like swath."

Trash, Cooper's first release for Epic Records, started a tradition of extensive collaboration with other prominent artists. Steven Tyler of Aerosmith accompanied Cooper on "Hell Is Living Without You," a ballad co-written by Jon Bon Jovi and guitarist Richie Sambora, and "Poison," the smash single from the album, the video of which was broadcast regularly on MTV, featured the backing vocals of Bon Jovi. 1991 's Hey Stoopid! boasted a stellar studio lineup that included metal elder statesman Ozzy Osbourne, who sang, and Slash from Guns and Roses, who played guitar on the title track. Guitar aces Joe Satriani and Steve Vai lent dueling guitars to "Feed My Frankenstein," and Motley Crue guitarist Mick Mars contributed licks to "Die For You." Hard Force magazine called Hey Stoopid! "the best since Welcome to My Nightmare, a vicious guitar record."

Promotion for Hey Stoopid! was characteristically spectacular. Cooper took to the streets, turning up in various public places to perform songs from the album and generally wreak havoc. Dubbing the September, 1991, tour the "Nightmare on Your Street," he performed at 8:45 in the morning in the parking lot of Los Angeles radio station KLOS, causing a standstill in rush-hour traffic. In New York City, Cooper tempted fate by playing in Times Square on Friday the 13th. Confused onlookers in Detroit were treated to a concert on the roof of the local Sound Warehouse record store, and in Towson, Maryland, Cooper held forth on the steps of the country courthouse.

Further promotion for Hey Stoopid! came in the form of a cameo role in director Penelope Spheeris's block-buster Wayne's World. In the film, Cooper performed the song "Feed My Frankenstein" and offered the star-struck protagonists an impromptu backstage lesson on the history of Milwaukee worthy of the best high school geography teacher. Commenting in Rolling Stone on the head-banging community-access television hosts portrayed in the film, Cooper said, "I like Wayne and Garth, I meet people like them all the time, they are my audience."

And because—or in spite—of his over-the-top image, Cooper's fans seem to be able to relate to Alice as well. Cooper has endured because he consistently plays the type of villain or monster that audiences can't help but cheer. By innovating a diabolic, yet charismatic, character back in the seventies, he has become a legendary figure in rock music. Melody Maker commented aptly on the universal appeal of Cooper's persona, allowing, "There has to be an Alice Cooper just like there has to be a Father Christmas.

Sources: Artistdirect.com; Barry C. Henssler

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The Almighty

Kiss

David Bowie

Frank Zappa

Top Ten Rock Star Film Cameos

Worst Dressed Acts In Rok-History

Glam rock legends Kiss were formed in NYC in 1973 by school teacher/bass player Gene Simmons and guitarist/singer Paul Stanley. Recruiting drummer Peter Criss and axeman Ace Frehley through newspaper and magazine ads, Simmons and Stanley set out to do nothing less than conquer the known rock world.

Their self-titled debut album came out in early 1974 on Casablanca Records, followed later that year by ‘Hotter Than Hell’. Both albums were packed with hard rock tracks that would later become Kiss classics, including ‘Strutter’, and ‘Cold Gin'. Their first real commercial success, though, came with 1975's ‘Dressed To Kill’, which featured the timeless anthem "Rock And Roll All Nite".

1976's ‘Destroyer’ cemented the band's hard-won image as the greatest rock n' roll band in America. Kiss' next two albums, ‘Rock And Roll Over’ and ‘Love Gun’, also went platinum. In 1978, they issued ‘Kiss Alive II’, followed by solo records from each of the members. 1979's ‘Dynasty’ produced a couple of popular numbers, but a slight disco edge to the music and an obvious, strained relationship between the members saw their original fan base beginning to erode.

In 1980, original drummer Peter Criss left the group; Anton Fig filled in for the recording of ‘Kiss Unmasked’ later on that year. Official replacement Eric Carr joined the band in time to perform on their 1980 world tour. 1981's Music From The Elder received disappointing sales, and guitarist Ace Frehley was the next to leave. Vinnie Vincent took up axe duties for 1982's ‘Creatures Of The Night’.

By 1983, Kiss had dropped the make-up and revamped their sound for a new decade, resulting in the platinum-selling ‘Lick It Up’, their first for Mercury Records. Music videos and more touring followed, with Vincent replaced by first Mark St. John and then Bruce Kulick in 1984.

In 1991, drummer Eric Carr passed away from cancer at age 41. He was replaced by Eric Singer, who played on 1992's Revenge, an album that later went gold. ‘Kiss Alive! III’ was issued in 1993, but failed to achieve the success of the first two. 1996 saw the first official reunion of all four original members since 1980.

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In 1998, the reformed original Kiss released ‘Psycho Circus’ and once again wore make-up and outlandish costumes and undertook a highly successful tour. They continued through 2001, at which time Peter Criss again quit- reportedly due to financial issues. Frehley left in 2002, amid rumours of acrimony. In 2003, Polygram released 'Symphony: Kiss Alive IV'.

Kiss continue to tour.

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ZZ Top

Alice Cooper

Skid Row

Worst Dressed Acts In Rok Hostory

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The Police was a three-piece British pop band who came into prominence in the wake of the punk rock phenomenon. The trio formed in 1977, consisting of Sting (bass and lead vocals), Stewart Copeland (drummer) and Henri Padovani (guitarist). This line-up issued the band’s first single, "Fall Out" in May 1977. Following this Andy Summers joined the band, who now toured as a four piece. Summers told Padovani that he wanted to experiment with 'new sounds, so Padovani quit the band (He probably regrets his hastiness.)

For The Police, their first album, "Outlandos d'Amour" was difficult working on a small budget, with no manager or record deal. Copeland's older brother, Miles, heard "Roxanne" and immediately got them a record deal with A&M Records. The single was re-released in 1979, and it was then that The Police achieved widespread fame in England. In October 1979, the group released their second album "Regatta de Blanc", giving way to reggae-influenced hit "Walking on the Moon".

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In March of 1980, The Police decided to embark on their first World Tour, and soon became a world famous act. Pressured by their record company for a new record, The Police quickly released their third album, "Zenyatta Mondatta" in 1980. The album gave the group a U.K. No. 1 with "Don't Stand So Close to Me" and "De Do Do Do, De Da Da Da", (what?), which charted successfully across the world. As Sting would later put it, this was the last album they worked on 'as a band.'

Their fourth album, "Ghost in the Machine", released in 1981, featured a thicker sound and vocal textures, holding the hit singles, "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" and "Spirits In The Material World".

They released their last, and classic, album, "Synchronicity", in 1983. Notable songs from that album include "Every Breath You Take" and "Wrapped Around Your Finger". Shortly after, each band member gradually began his own solo career. A short-lived attempt to reunite in 1986 produced a re-recording of their song "Don't Stand So Close to Me". On 10th March 2003, The Police were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Police have reformed recently however after touring and earning shed loads of money say they will not tour again.

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Gong

Bob Marley

Eddie Cochran

Blood On The Tracks

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Uriah Heep's by-the-books progressive heavy metal made the British band one of the most popular hard rock groups of the early '70s. Formed by vocalist David Byron and guitarist Mick Box in the late '60s, the group went through an astonishing number of members over the next two decades -- nearly 30 different musicians passed through the band over the years.

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Byron and Box were members of the mid-'60s rock band called the Stalkers; once that band broke up, the duo formed another group called Spice. Spice would eventually turn into Uriah Heep in the late '60s, once Ken Hensley (guitar, keyboards, vocals) and bassist Paul Newton joined the pair. Former Spice drummer Alex Napier was the band's drummer for a brief time; he was quickly replaced by Nigel Olsson.

Uriah Heep released their debut album Very 'eavy...Very 'umble (called Uriah Heep in the U.S.) in 1970. After its release, Keith Baker became the group's drummer; he recorded Salisbury, the group's second album, before deciding he couldn't keep up with the band's extensive touring and was replaced by Ian Clarke. Salisbury, featuring a 16-minute title track recorded with a 26-piece orchestra, showcased the band's more progressive tendencies. Later that year, Ian Clarke was replaced by Lee Kerslake and Mark Clarke replaced Newton; Mark Clarke quickly left the band and Gary Thain became the group's bassist. This lineup of Uriah Heep was its most stable and popular; beginning with 1972's Demons and Wizards, they released five albums between 1972 and 1975.

After 1975, the band's popularity began to slip. Byron left the band in 1977 and was replaced by John Lawton, yet the group's fortunes kept declining right into the early '80s. However, Uriah Heep soldiered on, continuing to release albums into the '90s and 2000s. The album roster included Different World (1994), Sea of Light (1995), Sonic Origami (1998), and Spellbinder (1999). 

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Sources: Stephen Thomas Erlewine; 

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Family

Nazareth

Emerson, Lake & Palmer

Uriah Heep Video

Small Faces were an influential British mod/psychedelic band of the 1960s, led by Steve Marriott and Ronnie Lane with Kenney Jones and Ian McLagan (who replaced original organist Jimmy Winston). The Small Faces were all genuine East End mods and they ranked second to The Who as Britain’s premier Mod band. They were signed to Decca records initially and enjoyed major success across Europe between 1965 and 1967 with classic singles like “All Or Nothing” and “Sha-La-La-La-Lee” before moving to a new label.

By late 1967, the band had felt constricted financially & creatively by manager Don Arden (father of Sharon Osbourne), and were lured by Rolling Stones’ publicist Andrew Loog Oldham into signing with his new Immediate label. They soon recorded more expansive psychedelic sounding material including hit pop tunes like “Lazy Sunday” which was included with their UK number one classic concept album Ogdens Nut Gone Flake and “Itchycoo Park” which was their only stateside charting single.

The demise of the Small Faces arrived on New Years Eve 1968, when Steve Marriott walked off stage at The Alexandra Palace in London. Marriott felt that despite the success of the group, he was still not being taken seriously as a musician. He went on to achieve major status in the U.S.A with Peter Frampton in Humble Pie. The others continued as the Faces, opting to drop the “Small” after one LP as new recruits Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood towered above their new band mates. Drummer Kenney Jones later joined The Who after the death of their drummer Keith Moon. As years went on, Marriott kept recording various lineups as Humble Pie but became somewhat of a caricature and casualty of rock excess. Tragically, Steve Marriott died in a house fire in 1991 and Ronnie Lane followed him in 1997 after a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Keyboardist Ian McLagan has continued to tour and record with his own band as well as with artists like Billy Bragg, The New Barbarians ( a group composed of Ian, Ron Wood, Keith Richards, Stanley Clarke, and Billy Cobham), and The Rolling Stones. According to announcements at the shows on the New Barbarians tour, the proceeds of the live gigs were going to pay Ronnie Lane’s medical expenses associated with Ronnie’s struggle with Multiple Sclerosis.

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The Small Faces remain one of British rock’s most important legacy acts, with their membership having links to so many other acts. Amongst the many bands they influenced were The Jam, Ramones, and Oasis.

Albums:

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Rod Stewart

Humble Pie

The Rolling Stones

The Legend Ronnie Wood

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The Animals formed in 1963 after Eric Burdon joined the existing group of Alan Price Combo. The group performed R’n’B covers around Newcastle in the early Sixties. The group were brought to London by Ronan O’Rahilly but were soon being managed by Mickey Most.

The Animals had a series of successful hits starting with Bob Dylan’s “Baby Let me Take you Home” however, their most iconic track “The House of the Rising Sun” which was a cover of a song relating to a brothel, even now is the subject of acrimony as Alan Price managed to obtain all the royalties for this track, apparently excluding the other members of the band. Once the group had found fame and toured America, Alan Price left being unable to cope with the pressure and went on to form The Alan Price Set and tour with Georgie Fame. After a number of successful hit singles the band broke up in 1966. Chas Chandler went on to discover and manage Jimi Hendrix and Slade; while Eric Burdon went on to form The New Animals. There have been a couple of attempts to reform the band during the Seventies and Eighties but with little success.

Eric Burdon continues to gig and record around the globe.

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Members include Alan Price (born April 19, 1941, Fairfield, Durham, England), organ, piano; Eric Burdon (born May 11, 1941, Walker, Northumberland, England), vocals; Chas Chandler (born Byran Chandler, December 18, 1938, Heaton, Northumberland, England; died July 17, 1996, in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England), bass; John Steel (born February 4, 1941, Gateshead, Northumberland, England), drums; Hilton Valentine (born May 21, 1943, North Shields, Northumberland, England), guitar.

Other members include: Vic Briggs (born February 14, 1945, Twickenham, Surrey, England), guitar; Barry Jenkins (born December 22, 1944, Leicester, England), drums; Danny McCullough (born July 18, 1945, London, England), bass; Tom Parker, organ, piano; Dave Rowberry (born December 27, 1943, Newcastle, England), organ, piano; John Weider (born April 21, 1947, London, England), guitar.

Band formed as the Alan Price Combo, 1962; changed name to the Animals, 1962; released self-titled debut album, 1964; Price left the band, 1965; Steel left the band, 1966; the Animals disbanded, 1966; Eric Burdon & the Animals formed and released Animalization, 1966; band relocated to California, 1967; Burdon dissolved band, 1968; reunited for Before We Were So Rudely Interrupted, 1976; reunited for Ark and Rip It ToShreds: The Animals Greatest Hits Live, 1983-84.

Like several of their contemporaries, the members of the Animals didn't see very much of the money they earned from their success. When they broke up, Steel sold his publishing rights for 4,000 pounds, and was the only member to leave the band with any money. "We all carme out of the Animals relatively sane, because, although we were manipulated, we were never sheltered and protected like the Beatles," Burdon told Bob Hart in Rolling Stone.

Drummer Jenkins and singer Burdon decided to form a new version of the Animals within a few months. They quickly recruited bassist Danny McCullough and organist Tom Parker. In October of 1966, they released Animalization on MGM Records. The following year, they all moved to California and added guitarist Vic Briggs. But before their next album was recorded, Parker left the group.

Albums:

The Animals, MGM Records, 1964.

The Animals on Tour, MGM Records, 1965.

Animal Tracks, MGM Records, 1965.

The Best of the Animals, MGM Records, 1966.

Animalisms, MGM Records, 1966.

Animalization, MGM Records, 1966.

Help Me Girl, MGM Records, 1967.

The Best of Eric Burdon & the Animals, Vol. 2, MGM Records, 1967.

Winds of Change, MGM Records, 1967.

The Twain Shall Meet, MGM Records, 1968.

Every One of Us, MGM Records, 1968.

Love Is, MGM Records, 1969.

The Greatest Hits of Eric Burdon & the Animals, MGM Records, 1969.

Before We Were So Rudely Interrupted, Barn Records, 1976.

Ark, I.R.S. Records, 1983.

Rip It To Shreds: The Animals Greatest Hits Live, I.R.S. Records, 1984.

The Best of Eric Burdon & the Animals (1966-1968), Polydor Records, 1986.

Source: Sonya Shelton 

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Bob Dylan

Dave Clarke Five

The Yardbirds

Bob Dylan and The Beatles Get High As Hell

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In a career spanning nearly 50 years, Aretha Franklin has truly earned her place as the Queen of Soul. She has performed songs in different genres as well, such as blues, R&B, jazz and rock.

Aretha Franklin was born in March 1942. Her father was a preacher and her mother was a pianist. Franklin developed an exceptional talent for singing and playing piano. Through recordings made during her father’s sermons, she appeared on a gospel album at the age of 14.

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It wasn’t until 1960 that Franklin signed a contract with Columbia Records. Her early releases reflected her jazz influence, most notably "Rock-A-Bye Your Baby With a Dixie Melody". Seven years later, she moved from Columbia to Atlantic Records and began to craft her own distinctive sound. Her second single for the new label was "Respect" which was originally recorded and written by Otis Redding. Not only was "Respect" a worldwide chart-topper, she won two Grammies for it.

Franklin had huge hits in the late 60s and early 70s with memorable songs like "Chain of Fools", "I Say A Little Prayer" and "Think". She rose to prominence again in the 1980 film ‘The Blues Brothers’ where she made a cameo as Mrs Matt Murphy. She signed to Arista Records and began recording material with Luther Vandross, who was a huge fan.

Her biggest hits in the 80s came from collaborations with not only Vandross but the Eurythmics and George Michael. "Sisters Are Doing It For Themselves" became a rallying cry for women campaigning for equality, while "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" introduced her to fans from the Wham! generation.

After a brief period of returning to her gospel roots, Franklin’s next big commercial success came in 1993, lending her vocals to the soundtrack of Sister Act II: Back In The Habit.

1998 was a landmark year for the Queen of Soul. She released the album "A Rose Is Still A Rose" - a departure in style from her previous material - with contributions from the The Fugees’ Lauryn Hill. Later that year, she gave a memorable rendition of Puccini’s "Nessun Dorma" at the Grammys when Luciano Pavarotti was too ill to attend.

An album of duets was released in 2007, featuring Franklin sharing vocals with the likes of Gloria Estefan, Frank Sinatra, John Legend and Mary J Blige. She was also given the honour of singing at the inauguration of President Obama in 2009. She has won 18 Grammys in total, she is the second woman to be inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame and the first black woman to appear on the cover of Time Magazine. An incredible feat for an astonishing talent.

For The Record:

Born March 25, 1942, in Memphis, Tenn.; daughter of Clarence L. (a minister and gospel singer) and Barbara (Siggers) Franklin; married Ted White (a businessman), 1961 (divorced); married Glynn Turman, April 11,1978 (divorced, 1984); children: (first marriage) Clarence, Edward, Teddy. Education: Attended schools in Detroit, Michigan. Politics: Democrat. Religion: Baptist.

Gospel singer, 1952-61, performing as member of her father's traveling Baptist ministry; recorded first album of gospel music in 1956. Rhythm and blues/soul vocalist, 1960—; signed first with Columbia Records, 1961, transferred to Atlantic Records, 1967, transferred to Arista Records, 1980. Has given numerous live performances in America and Europe, including a special command performance for the birthday of England's Queen Mother. Appeared in film "The Blues Brothers," 1980, and in Showtime television special, "Aretha," 1986.

Awards: Grammy awards for best female rhythm and blues vocal performance, 1967, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1981, 1985, 1987, Grammy awards for best rhythm and blues recording, 1967, for best soul gospel performance, 1972, and for best rhythm and blues duo vocal (with George Michael), 1987, for "I Knew You Were Waiting"; American Music Award, 1984.

Addresses: Home—8450 Linwood St, Detroit, Mich. 48206.

The mid- to late-1970s were a difficult time for soul music in general, as the rigid beat of disco held sway. Franklin was one of many singers who suffered a declining audience during the period. Her professional woes were compounded by a series of personal problems—her father was rendered comatose by a shooting during a burglary in his home, and her first marriage failed. Then, just as her career was beginning to rebound under the Arista label, Franklin was involved in an incident aboard a small airplane that caused her to fear flying. Some observers feel that only the need to pay her father's expensive hospital bills kept Franklin recording during the early 1980s. The Reverend Franklin died in 1984, never having recovered consciousness after the shooting. The following year Aretha recorded the album that can legitimately be called her "comeback" project—Who's Zoomin' Who, a snappy work reminiscent of her early material. Though well into her forties, Franklin cavorted elegantly through several "Who's Zoomin' Who" videos that became immensely popular on MTV and helped two singles, "Freeway of Love" and the title tune, top the pop charts. "I wanted something that kids would enjoy," Franklin told Newsweek, "something that would span the age gap, but not leave older fans behind. The soul is still there."

Franklin is still bothered by her fear of flying, so much of her work is accomplished in or near Detroit, her home base since 1982. Her recent hit single, "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)," paired her with George Michael, a pop singer seemingly from another generation altogether. In the wake of that success, Franklin has returned to her first and lasting love—gospel, with the release of a dramatic double album, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. As Franklin once remarked in Time, "My heart is still there in gospel music. It never left." Franklin does not intend to leave pop music's ranks permanently, however. She told Newsweek that she sees singing—any kind of singing—as a means of escape. "It does get me out of myself," she said. "I guess you could say I do a lot of traveling with my voice." Mark Moses pays homage to the Queen of Soul in his New Yorker essay, calling Aretha Franklin "both the statesman shouldering history and the woman wishing herself back to childhood .. . as if there were no extremes that her wide, rippling voice could not reconcile."

Source: Anne Janette Johnson

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