Aretha Franklin, 'Queen of Soul', Dies

Today we dedicate the programme to Aretha Franklin, the American soul and R&B singer- known as the Queen of Soul-, who has died at the age of 76. We share memories and tributes as we look back to her life and career and discuss her influence on music and her role in the civil rights movement.
Aretha Franklin's career spanned half a century and she had more than twenty hit singles including 'Respect' and 'I Say a Little Prayer'. As the daughter of a Baptist preacher, Aretha Franklin was inspired by the gospel music she sang in church. She performed at the funeral of the civil rights leader Martin Luther King as well as the presidential inaugurations of Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

(Photo: Aretha Franklin performing on Top of the Pops at Lime Grove Studios, UK in August 1968. Credit: BBC)