1. Aretha Franklin Aretha Louise Franklin aka Queen of Soul born March 25 1942 is an American singer and songwriter. She began her career as a child singing Gospel in her father's church until she was 18 and decided to switch to a secular music career. She has often received great accolade for being a great singer and musician due to her vocal prowess and skillfull piano playing. Her voice has been described as being a powerful mezzo-soprano voice. Aretha has won 18 Grammy Awards, sold 75 million records worldwide, she has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (the first woman to be inducted), Uk Music Hall of Fame, Gospel Music Hall of Fame, she has received a star on the Hollywood walk of Fame, she has a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, Grammy Legend Award, Presidential Medal of Freedom and many more. She has influenced artists such as Jennifer Hudson, Christina Aguilera, Whitney Houston. Some of her hit songs are Natural Woman(You make me feel) Respect