Photo Credit: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images
After years of perpetual health issues — and a health comeback — reports of a “gravely ill” Aretha Franklin flooded news headlines worldwide Monday morning (Aug. 13).
Fans and Friends immediately turned to social media to express their love for the Queen of Soul. Many understood the severity of her health, but hoped she would pull through like she did after being diagnosed with terminal cancer in December 2010 — something she first denied during an interview with Rolling Stone.
After learning about Aretha’s condition, reports surfaced with statements from the family requesting “prayers and privacy.”
Franklin passed away yesterday morning at approximately 9:50 am — just three days after making the announcement. She was 76 years old.
Photo Credit: Kris Connor/Getty Images
Franklin’s career began in 1956 when she released her first album, The Gospel Soul of Aretha Franklin. Over time, her vocals earned her 18 Grammy awards, 17 top 10 hits on Billboard’s Hot 100, and 16 singles that sold half-a-million copies or more (and this was before the digital age).
As the world mourns one of music’s greats, WBLS is reminiscing over her best-selling hits. From “I Say a Little Prayer” to “Bridge Under Troubled Water,” Aretha’s catalog is deep. So stand up and dance as you listen to 16 of the songs that helped make her famous.
“Amazing Grace”
“A Rose is Still a Rose”
“Spanish Harlem”
“I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)”
“Think”
“I Say a LIttle Prayer”
“Until You Come Back to Me”
“Baby I Love You”
“Respect”
“Bridge Under Troubled Water”
“Chain of Fools”
“Rock Steady”
“Day Dreaming”
“See Saw”
“Don’t Play That Song”
“Since You’ve Been Gone”