Aretha Franklin, the #26 Artist of the Rock Era, Part One

"A fine lady of soul."

"Aretha Franklin truly has a powerful God-given voice and a Heart Of Gold."

"She is amazing."

"Hats off to one of the greatest singers of my life."

"Her vocals were just flawless. Her voice is one of the BEST of our century. Gorgeous."

"Women around the world  find the queen in ourselves through her shared songs of heart!"

"Aretha Franklin is a vocal legend and one of the grandest singers of all time."

"All hail the Queen!"

"Her voice brings joy to my soul."

"Class and beauty."

"One of the best voices in the world."

"Her singing is the very meaning of soul."

"So many great songs from her."

"She sends chills through my bones."

"Aretha hits the notes so effortlessly."

"A living legend."

"Lord have mercy! What an amazing voice!"

"She is so gifted."

"Absolutely beautiful voice."

"Singing that comes straight from heaven."

"She makes it seem so easy--the mark of genuine talent."
Aretha brought fire and heat to popular music."

"Her songs make you happy in an instant."

"I can't stop movin'."

"Incredible voice. One of the all-time greats."

"A talent that only comes around a few times in a century."

Aretha Franklin was born March 25, 1942 in Memphis, Tennessee but moved to Buffalo, New York with her family when she was two.  Three years later, her father, C.L. Franklin, became pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan.  Aretha's mother and father had a troubled marriage, and they separated in 1948 when Aretha's mother relocated to Buffalo.  

Several people, including Mahalia Jackson, helped look after the children after the separation.  Aretha learned how to play piano by ear during this time.  C.L. Franklin gained attention from his sermons, leading several celebrities, including Martin Luther King, Jr., Jackie Wilson and Sam Cooke, to visit the Franklin home.

Aretha's mother died when she was 10, and shortly after, Aretha began singing solos at New Bethel.  When she was 14, her father began managing her, taking his daughter along with him on gospel caravan tours so she could sing in the churches where her father preached.  

C.L. helped Aretha get a recording contract with J.V.B. Records and Aretha released her debut album Songs of Faith in 1956.  When Aretha was 18, C.L. helped her record a two-song demo for the purposes of finding a major record label for her singing career.  Aretha moved to New York City, where she took vocal and dance lessons.  Columbia Records soon came calling and Aretha signed a deal in 1960. 

In 1961, Franklin released her first secular album, Aretha:  With The Ray Bryant Combo, but her first single, "Won't Be Long", stalled at #76.  The next year, Aretha released the albums The Electrifying Aretha Franklin and The Tender, the Moving, the Swinging Aretha Franklin.  She didn't have much more luck with those projects.

Franklin's version of "Soulville" from her 1964 album Unforgettable:  A Tribute to Dinah Washington is the song which pointed Aretha in the right direction after nearly a decade of recording all different styles.  Returning to her roots--R&B--was what finally did the trick.

 

By the mid-60's, Aretha was earning $100,000 from performances at theaters and nightclubs.  But Aretha didn't feel she was reaching her full potential at Columbia and switched to Atlantic Records in 1967.  She joined the legendary Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section in Muscle Shoals, Alabama to record "I Never Loved A Man (The Way I Love You)".  But an argument with her boyfriend Ted White required Atlantic exec Jerry Wexler to fly them out of Alabama to New York City to complete recording.  On her 33rd try, Franklin struck paydirt with a #9 hit (#1 R&B) that sold over one million copies.

 

The album of the same name was released, which was certified Gold and rose to #2 on the Album chart.  The main reason for the big sales was her second single on Atlantic, a song Otis Redding first recorded in 1965.  Featuring the saxophone of King Curtis, "Respect" flew to #1 in the U.S., #3 in Canada and #10 in the United Kingdom and is now one of The Top 500 Songs of the Rock Era*.  The single also was certified Gold and Franklin won her first Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.

Whereas she had languished at Columbia who was unsure how to showcase her talent, Aretha thrived at Atlantic in a comfortable atmosphere that allowed Franklin to grow and her voice to become more confident and powerful.  

 

Aretha covered the Ray Charles hit "Drown In My Own Tears".

 

On her way, Franklin released the album Aretha Arrives later in the year.  The recording sessions were delayed because Aretha shattered her elbow in an accident while touring the southern part of the United States.  The single "Baby I Love You" peaked at #4 and gave Franklin three consecutive million-sellers.   

 

This track was never released as a single, but it may be the best song on the album.  Aretha showcases that incredible voice on "Night Life".  

 

At the beginning of "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man", Franklin sings with a Gospel-influenced tone and through the use of overdubbing plays both piano and organ.   

Among the many artists who have covered the song are Whitney Houston, Cher, Joe Cocker, Willie Nelson, Etta James, Joan Baez and Phoebe Snow.  

Aretha released her first Greatest Hits compilation in 1967, followed by Aretha Franklin's Greatest Hits Volume II the following year.  In June of 1968, Aretha was featured on the cover of Time magazine.

In 1968, Aretha released the album Lady Soul and followed it later in the year with Aretha Now.  The former was certified Gold and features Cissy Houston (mother of Whitney) and her group the Sweet Inspirations as well as Aretha's sisters Carolyn and Erma on backing vocals.  

 

While the album I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You provided the launching pad Franklin was looking for, Lady Soul allowed her to take flight, yielding three big hits.  In September, Aretha released the Carole King-Gerry Goffin-Jerry Wexler song "A Natural Woman (You Make Me Feel Like)", #2 on the R&B chart and #8 overall.

Another monster hit followed--"Chain Of Fools" climbed to #1 R&B and #2 Popular and #4 in Canada.  Featuring Joe South on guitar, the single also sold over one million copies.

Franklin captured the Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for "Chain Of Fools".  She scored another big hit with "(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone", a #5 hit she co-wrote that went Gold.  Once again, the Sweet Inspirations, Carolyn & Erma Franklin sang backing vocals, Bobby Womack played guitar and King Curtis played saxophone.

Franklin's album Aretha Now generated the feminist anthem "Think" (which she co-wrote), a #1 R&B song that also reached #7 overall and sold over one million copies.

The amazing Queen of Soul continues with Part Two, exclusively on Inside The Rock Era!

Bruce Springsteen, The #27 Artist of the Rock Era, Part Four

 

(Continued from Part Three)

 Springsteen recorded "Streets Of Philadelphia" for the movie Philadelphia in 1994.  It topped charts in West Germany, Ireland and Norway and reached #9 in the U.S.  It would be Bruce's last Top 10 song.

"Streets Of Philadelphia" won Grammy Awards for Song of the Year, Best Rock Song, Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male and Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or for Television and was nominated for Record of the Year.  It also won a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award for Best Song from a Motion Picture and Springsteen won an American Music Award for Favorite Pop/Rock Male Artist.  Springsteen won Best Video from a Film and was nominated for Best Male Video at the MTV Video Music Awards and he won an ASCAP Award for Most Performed Song from a Motion Picture. 

Bruce asked the E Street Band to join him for new recordings for Springsteen's Greatest Hits album in 1995.  The compilation has now sold over four million copies in the U.S. alone.

 "Secret Garden" was included in the classic movie Jerry Maguire and was nominated for Best Video from a Film at the MTV Video Music Awards.

 Springsteen released the album The Ghost of Tom Joad, his first to fall short of the Top 10 since his second album.  After a subsequent tour, the Springsteens moved back to New Jersey.  The title song is a Top Track*.

  "Youngstown" is about a steelworker in Youngstown, Ohio who lost his job.  "Jenny" is the nickname given to the Blast Furnace at Youngstown steelworks, which was named after the daughter of W.A. Thomas, who was president of Brier Hill Steel.  

 Springsteen captured Best Contemporary Folk Album at the Grammy Awards and he was nominated for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance (for "Dead Man Walkin'").  He was also nominated for Best Original Song at the Academy Awards.

Bruce won the Polar Music Price in 1997.  The aforementioned album Tracks was released in 1998 and has sold over one million units.  Bruce picked up another Grammy nomination for Best Male Rock Vocal Performance for "Thunder Road".

Bruce and the band got back together for an extensive tour that included 15 shows in East Rutherford, New Jersey and a 10-night stand at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan, New York.

In 1999, Bruce was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame.  He received a further honor when the minor planet 23990, discovered September 4, 1999, was named in his honor.

 

In 2000, Springsteen received Grammy nominations for Best Rock Song and Best Male Rock Vocal Performance for "The Promise".  Springsteen released the album Live in New York City in 2001, a televised event that won two Emmy Awards.  A Platinum album, it rose to #3 in Norway and Sweden and #5 in the U.S.

 

The album The Rising, recorded with the E Street Band, was released in 2002 and represented Springsteen's response to the murders of September 11, 2001 at the World Trade Centers and the U.S. Pentagon.  The album enabled a comeback for Springsteen, hitting #1 in six countries including the United States and the U.K.  The title song is one of Bruce's career best.

 Springsteen won Grammy Awards for Best Rock Album and Best Rock Song and Best Male Rock Vocal Performance (for the title song) was nominated for Album of the Year and Song of the Year (for "The Rising").  As usual, the hard-working Springsteen toured throughout the United States and Europe, including a record 10 sold-out shows at the Giants Stadium in New Jersey.  The Rising has now sold over two million copies.  "My City Of Ruins" is another song about Asbury Park.  Bruce hung out there a lot growing up and watched it deteriorate.

Springsteen worked to revitalize Asbury Park and played several winter holiday concerts with proceeds benefiting local businesses, organizations and causes.

Bruce collaborated with Warren Zevon for "Disorder In The House" from Zevon's last album, and the two won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.  Bruce released the compilation album  

The Essential Bruce Springsteen in 2003, which has sold over two million copies.  "The Code Of Silence" earned Springsteen another Grammy Award for Best Rock Vocal Solo Performance.

 Devils & Dust, mainly an acoustical album recorded without the band, also hit #1 in 10 countries, but only sold just over 500,000 copies.  The title song won a Grammy Award for Best Rock Vocal Solo Performance and was nominated for Song of the Year and Best Rock Song while the album was nominated for Best Contemporary Folk Album and Best Long Form Music Video. 

In 2006, Springsteen released the album We Shall Overcome:  The Seeger Sessions and played before sellout crowds in Europe and the United States.  Bruce won Grammy Award for Best Traditional Folk Album and Best Long Form Music Video (for "Wings for Wheels:  The Making of 'Born to Run'").

In 2007, Bruce and the E Street Band returned with the album Magic, which topped charts in the U.S. and the U.K. and peaked in the Top 3 in every major country.  It has sold over one million copies and was nominated for Best Rock Album at the Grammy Awards.  "Radio Nowhere" earned Grammys for Best Rock Song and Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance, while "Girls In Their Summer Clothes" earned Best Rock Song and was nominated for Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance and  "Once Upon A Time In The West" won a trophy for Best Rock Instrumental Performance.

E Street Band founding member Danny Federici, who had been diagnosed with melanoma three years before, died April 17, 2008.

 Springsteen recorded "The Wrestler" for the movie of the same name and won the Golden Globe Award for Best Song from a Motion Picture and was nominated for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media at the Grammy Awards.  He was also nominated for Best Live Act at the World Music Awards and for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals at the Grammy Awards for his duet with Rosanne Cash, "Sea Of Heartbreak", on Cash's album The List.

Bruce was included in Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People of the Year in 2008.

In February of 2009, Bruce performed at halftime of Super Bowl XLIII.

Springsteen released the album Working on a Dream in 2009.  Bruce won another Grammy for Best Solo Rock Vocal Performance and was nominated for Best Rock Song for the title cut.

The album rose to #1 in every major country except Australia, where it stopped at #3.  A tour included stops at some of the world's music festivals, including the Glastonbury Festival in Great Britain and the Pinkpop Festival in the Netherlands.

Bruce received Kennedy Center Honors for his contribution to American culture in December.  Springsteen concluded the decade ranked fourth in total concert grosses.

In 2010, Springsteen released the album The Promise.

More tragedy struck on June 18, 2011 when Clemons died.  The album Wrecking Ball also got to #1 in nearly every country but was Springsteen's first to fail to go Gold.   Wrecking Ball was Springsteen's 10th #1 album in the U.S., tying him with Elvis Presley for third all-time.  The Beatles hold the all-time mark of 19. 

 

"Land Of Hope And Dreams" had long been a staple of Springsteen's encores, but he reworked his song of hope for America's immigrants for the album.

After Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc on his home state of New Jersey and other areas of the East Coast in October, 2012, Bruce dedicated concert proceeds to victims and performed at the nationally televised telethon Hurricane Sandy:  Coming Together.

 Bruce wrote a gut-wrenching song about how somehow America, or at least a minority of its residents, had forgotten that America became great because it valued each and every one of its citizens, and was always there for them in times of need. Springsteen was nominated for Best Rock Album and Best Rock Song and Best Rock Performance (both for "We Take Care Of Our Own") at the Grammy Awards.  The Wrecking Ball Tour proved that Springsteen was still the king of live shows, ending the year with the largest total attendance.

In 2013, Bruce received the MusiCares Person of the Year Award.

Springsteen's album High Hopes in 2014, which became a #1 album in every major country in the world.  The album was Bruce's 10th #1 in the U.K., tying him with the Rolling Stones and U2 for fifth all-time.  However, sales of High Hopes are also below 500,000.

Springsteen was on hand when the E Street Band was separately inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.  Later in the year, he released The Album Collection Vol. 1 1973-1984, an 8-disc set including remasters of his first seven studio albums. 

In 2015, Bruce released the box set The Ties That Bind:  The River Collection and toured for 10 months in North America and Europe.  Springsteen's tour was #1 with 1.1 million tickets sold and $135 million in revenue.

Springsteen released the compilation Chapter and Verse, which included unreleased material from his work with the Castiles, Steel Mill and The Bruce Springsteen Band,  in 2006.

In 2016, Bruce released his autobiography, Born to Run, which topped The New York Times Best-Sellers List.  He went on a nine-date book tour in which he offered pre-signed copies of the book.

Bruce received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from U.S. President Barack Obama on November 22.  It is the highest award a civilian can receive and is "presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States, to world peace, or to cultural or other significant public or private endeavors".

Springsteen was nominated for Tour of the Year at the American Music Awards.

Springsteen has won four American Music Awards from seven nominations, 20 Grammy Awards out of 46 nominations, two Golden Globes, an Academy Award out of two nominations, two MTV Video Music Awards from 12 nominations and an ASCAP Award. He has been nominated for three Billboard Music Awards, a World Music Award and an Emmy Award.

Bruce Springsteen, The #27 Artist of the Rock Era, Part Three

 

(Continued from Part Two)

 

In 1985, Bruce helped record "We Are The World" with other artists for the charity single and played a key role in the success of the song.  It raced to #1 and not only was one of the top songs of the year but is one of The Top 500 Songs of the Rock Era*.

 Springsteen released the five-album box set Live/1975-85 in 1986, which debuted at #1 on the Album chart.  It is one of the top live releases in history, selling over 13 million copies in the U.S. alone.  Bruce released a single, "War", from the album, which reached #2 in a couple of countries (Ireland and Norway) and was a Top 10 hit in most countries.

Springsteen won an MTV Video Music Award for Best Stage Performance for "War" and he was nominated for Best Stage Performance for "Born To Run" from the Live album.  He released the album Tunnel of Love in 1987.  One of his best career singles, "Brilliant Disguise", raced to #1 on the Mainstream Rock chart and #5 overall and was nominated for Best Pop Vocal Performance, Male at the Grammy Awards.

 

The album hit #1 in the United States, the U.K., Canada, Norway and Sweden.  The title song is inspired by the amusement rides on the boardwalk of Asbury Park.  Springsteen used the "Tunnel Of Love" ride as a metaphor for the ups and downs of a relationship.  Nils Lofgren was passing through town when he called Bruce.  Springsteen told him he was working on a track and asked if Nils would drop by and give it a shot.  Lofgren's guitar solo is featured.

"Tunnel Of Love" also topped the MR chart and peaked at #9 and earned a Grammy Award for Best Rock Vocal Solo Performance.  Springsteen also was nominated for Video of the Year and Best Male Video at the MTV Video Music Awards.  

 Tunnel of Love has now sold over three million copies in the U.S. alone, with "Paradise By The 'C'" nominated for Best Rock Instrumental Performance at the Grammys.  "One Step Up" is another worthy song, a #2 Mainstream Rock hit that stopped at #13 on the Popular chart.

Springsteen played several instruments on "Tougher Than The Rest", which did better in Europe than in the U.S., including a Top 10 performance in Ireland.

On the tour, Springsteen became involved with backup singer Patti Scialfa, and his marriage obviously ended in divorce within months.

Springsteen's concert in East Germany drew 300,000 fans who were hungry for freedom and the right to hear the best music.  Later in the year, Springsteen headlined the Human Rights Now! tour for Amnesty International.  The following year, Bruce broke away from the E Street Band and he married Scialfa, with the couple moving to California.

In 1992, Springsteen released two albums simultaneously, Human Touch and Lucky Town.  Whereas earlier albums symbolized the working man's quest for a good life, the positive songs included in the albums were not accepted well by many of his longtime fans.  Still, the album reached the Top 5 in every major country and #1 in the U.K., Norway and Sweden.  The title song from "Human Touch" reached #1 on the MR chart in the U.S. and hit #2 on the Canadian chart as well.  Springsteen was nominated for Best Male Video at the MTV VMA's. 

"Human Touch" was nominated for Best Rock Song and Best Rock Vocal Performance, Male at the Grammy Awards.  A performance on MTV Unplugged didn't go well, however, and Springsteen seemed unable to continue the momentum of his blockbuster Born in the U.S.A.

 Lucky Town was a Top 5 album as well, including #2 in the U.S., and has sold over one million copies.  "Better Days" reached #2 on the Mainstream Rock chart.

 Springsteen released another single from Human Touch, "57 Channels (And Nothin' On)", a worthy song that not only certainly describes the decline of the cable and satellite industry but gave him another Top 10 Mainstream Rock hit.

Part Four of Bruce Springsteen is next!