55 years ago today, Aretha Franklin concluded her triumphant 3-night run at Fillmore West. She found Ray Charles in the crowd, and dragged him onstage for a legendary reprise of "Spirit In The Dark." www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jUl...

55 years ago today, Aretha continued her triumphant 3-night run at Fillmore West. Watch her deliver a scorching, 9-minute rendition of "Dr. Feelgood": www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2x8...

55 years ago today, Aretha Franklin began a career-defining 3-night run at San Francisco's Fillmore West. Watch a clip from night 1, the only night she played piano instead of the electric piano. Listen to all 3 nights: open.spotify.com/album/4IK2Vg...

Happy Heavenly Birthday to the legendary Teena Marie! What are your favorite Teena records? Here's Teena paying tribute to Aretha in 2003. Watch her tell a brilliant Aretha story in 2010 that's incredibly touching, and also hysterical: www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIAd...

Happy Heavenly Birthday to the great Bobby Womack! Not only did Bobby play guitar on Aretha's 1968 classic, 'Lady Soul,' she covered two Bobby classics: "That's The Way I Feel About Cha" and "I'm In Love." What are your favorites? More on "I'm In Love": 365daysofaretha.com/2024/02/25/i...

On this day in 1973, Aretha Franklin took home Grammy Awards for 'Young, Gifted & Black' and 'Amazing Grace'! Watch her present Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male alongside David Clayton Thomas.

On this day in 1974, Aretha Franklin took home her 7th consecutive Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance , Female for "Master Of Eyes," which didn't even make the album it hailed from! Read more: 365daysofaretha.com/2022/08/25/m...

51 years ago today, Aretha Franklin won her 8th consecutive Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female, for "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing." David Bowie presented her the award, and she performed the song that night. www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8Rh...

In 1968, the Grammy Awards were held on Leap Day, February 29th. Since it only comes around every 4 years, today we celebrate Aretha Franklin's first Grammy wins ever, for "Respect," in Best Rhythm and Blues Recording, and the inaugural award for Best R&B Solo Vocal Performance, Female.

65 years ago today, 18 year-old Aretha Franklin released her debut album, 'Aretha.' What are your favorites from Aretha's debut? Fun fact: Spike Lee's father, Bill Lee, played bass on the album. Essay on Aretha's stunning rendition of "Over The Rainbow": 365daysofaretha.com/2019/03/29/d...

At the 1997 Grammy Awards, Aretha Franklin, Tony Bennett, and Stevie Wonder united to present Record of the Year.

The same night Aretha saved the Grammys, an appearance on Late Show with David Letterman aired, with Aretha performing her new single "A Rose Is Still A Rose." Full performance: youtu.be/SW77I7chlIA?...

40 years ago today, "Freeway Of Love" led Aretha to the winner's offramp, and a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female!

On this day in 1998, Aretha Franklin stunned the world and delivered one of the most profound performances in Grammy history, with 8 minutes notice. Read about Aretha's history with "Nessun dorma": 365daysofaretha.com/2023/02/25/n...

On this day in 1974, Aretha Franklin released 'Let Me In Your Life'! What's your top 2 from this LP? Song essays: 365daysofaretha.com/tag/let-me-i...

On this day in 1982, Aretha scored her first Grammy Award in 7 years, this time for her electric rendition of Sam & Dave's "Hold On I'm Comin'." Watch her perform the song on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson in 1981. Full performance: www.youtube.com/watch?v=rS5q...

On this day in 1965, Aretha Franklin recorded "Remember Me," "Land of Dreams," and "I Still Can't Forget," among her final recordings for Columbia Records. Aretha wrote "Land of Dreams" and "I Still Can't Forget." www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Nvs...

On this day in 2003, Aretha Franklin and Bonnie Raitt presented Norah Jones with the award for Record of the Year at the 45th Grammy Awards. www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6sh...

Aretha Franklin covered "The Makings of You" for 'A Tribute to Curtis Mayfield,' released on this day in 1994! Aretha's "Look Into Your Heart" from 'Sparkle' was also included, reimagined by the great Whitney Houston. Stream the album: open.spotify.com/album/0VofX6...

On this day in 1989, Aretha won the Grammy Award for Best Soul Gospel Performance, Female for 'One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism.' The album featured performances alongside Mavis Staples, her sisters Erma and Carolyn, and invocations from her brother Cecil and the Rev. Jesse Jackson.

Released on this day in 1994: Aretha Franklin's Greatest Hits 1980-1994, including 3 new songs: "A Deeper Love," "Willing To Forgive" and "Honey." Which new recording is your favorite?

Happy Heavenly Birthday to the High Priestess of Soul, Ms. Nina Simone! Aretha and Nina shared both mutual respect and musical crossover. Nina covered Aretha's "Save Me," and Aretha not only covered but named her album after Nina's "To Be Young Gifted and Black."

On this day in 1962, Aretha Franklin & Thelonius Monk shared a bill at New York City's Village Gate. Among the songs she performed were "Just For A Thrill," "God Bless The Child," and "Skylark," possibly for the first time.

Happy Heavenly Birthday to the great Nancy Wilson! Did you know that Nancy co-wrote a song on Aretha's 'A Rose Is Still A Rose'? Listen to "Love Pang": www.youtube.com/watch?v=as7n...

55 years ago, Aretha continued work at Criteria Studios in Miami. Today and yesterday, she recorded "April Fools," "Didn't I (Blow Your Mind This Time)," "I Need A Strong Man," "Heavenly Father" Read about her rendition of "April Fools": 365daysofaretha.com/2019/04/01/d...

On this day in 1964, Aretha Franklin released 'Unforgettable: A Tribute To Dinah Washington," recorded less than two weeks earlier. What are your favorites from this underrated Aretha LP? Essays: 365daysofaretha.com/tag/unforget...

A profound loss of immeasurable magnitude. RIP Reverend Jesse Jackson.

On this day in 1967, Aretha Franklin finished recording her Atlantic Records debut, but they decided to hold the song recorded today for 1968's 'Lady Soul.' That song was "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman."

February 16, 1968 was declared Aretha Franklin Day in Detroit! Here a clip from that day, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. surprised Aretha to present her with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Award

55 years ago today, Aretha Franklin recorded "Day Dreaming," "Rock Steady," "All The King's Horses," "With Pen In Hand," and "Spanish Harlem" at Criteria Studios in Miami. Which is your favorite from this session? "Day Dreaming" essay: 365daysofaretha.com/2021/07/02/d...

Aretha Franklin continued work on her Atlantic debut on this day in 1967 in New York City. She recorded "Soul Serenade," "Good Times," and a song she'd written herself called "Dr. Feelgood." Watch her perform "Dr. Feelgood" in 2001: www.youtube.com/watch?v=c11p...

Aretha Franklin made history on Valentine's Day in 1967. She recorded "Respect," "Drown In My Own Tears," "Don't Let Me Lose This Dream," "Baby, Baby, Baby," and "A Change Is Gonna Come."

On this day in 2008, Mariah Carey released "Touch My Body." This year, Billboard asked Mariah what the best thing about the song is, and she replied, "that Aretha Franklin did it. That is SO iconic." Read about Aretha's iconic cover: 365daysofaretha.com/2019/03/27/d...

On this day in 1973, Aretha Franklin, alongside Sarah Vaughn, Roberta Flack, Peggy Lee, Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, and many more, saluted the great Duke Ellington on 'We Love You Madly.' Watch the full special: www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AQi...

Remembering Whitney Houston today on the anniversary of her passing.

Happy Birthday to the legendary Brandy! Watch her react accordingly when she finds out Aretha was in the house for one of her performances of Chicago on Broadway.

Alongside BeBe Winans, Aretha Franklin delivered her final performance on the Grammys stage on this day in 2008, leading a gospel medley with her Grammy-winning "Never Gonna Break My Faith."

On this day in 1998, Aretha Franklin released "A Rose Is Still A Rose," written and produced by Ms. Lauryn Hill. Read the incredible history of this classic: 365daysofaretha.com/2023/03/10/a...

On this day in 1965, Aretha Franklin recorded her faux-live LP 'Yeah!!!' at Columbia's NYC studios.

Happy Heavenly Birthday to the legendary Roberta Flack. What are your favorite Roberta Flack records? Listen to Aretha briefly cover "Killing Me Softly" in 1991: www.youtube.com/watch?v=icpd...

On this day in 1967, Aretha Franklin released "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)" and "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man," marking her Atlantic Records debut, and her first gold-certified single.

Happy Birthday to the legendary @carolekingofficial.bsky.social! Watch Aretha celebrate Carole and bring down the house at the Kennedy Center Honors in 2015: www.youtube.com/watch?v=efIA...

Released on this day in 1968, Aretha Franklin's "Since You've Been Gone (Sweet Sweet Baby)" and "Ain't No Way." Which side would you play first?

Aretha Franklin took home a Grammy Award on this day in 2004 for 'Wonderful" www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9X3...

On this day in 1967, Aretha resumed work on her Atlantic Records debut, after the Muscle Shoals debacle in January. She recorded "Save Me," a unique, 3-chord record written by King Curtis, Aretha, and her sister Carolyn. 365daysofaretha.com/2021/03/21/s...

20 years ago today, Aretha Franklin took home a Grammy Award for "A House Is Not A Home," her tribute to the late, great Luther Vandross. www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXOI...

Aretha Franklin continued work on her Dinah Washington tribute LP on this day in 1964. She recorded "Drinking Again," "Soulville," "Evil Gal Blues," and "Lee Cross." Read essays about the latter two recordings: 365daysofaretha.com/tag/unforget...

On this day in 1964, Aretha Franklin began work on her Dinah Washington tribute LP. She recorded "Cold Cold Heart," "Nobody Knows The Way I Feel This Morning," and "Don't Say You're Sorry Again." www.youtube.com/watch?v=cSTK...

As we continue to celebrate Natalie Cole today... did you know that Aretha asked Natalie to play her in her biopic back in 1999?

The Winter Olympics kick off today in Milan, Italy! In 2002, Aretha Franklin helped carry the torch through Detroit, and recorded a song for the games' official soundtrack! Listen to "Carry The Flame": www.youtube.com/watch?v=zmnc...