40 Celebrities We Need To Keep Safe From 2016

US singer Aretha Franklin performs during the International Jazz Day concert at the White House in Washington, DC, on April 29, 2016. / AFP / NICHOLAS KAMM (Photo credit should read NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/Getty Images)

 2. Aretha Franklin

If you look up the word diva in the dictionary, you will see a picture of Aretha Franklin. She may have gotten her start in music sing gospel hymns at her father’s church in Detroit, Michigan but it was not the only thing she could sing. She paved the way for many of the female solo artist of R&B, Jazz, Soul, and Pop. The Queen of Soul has the distinct honor of being the first female performer to be inducted into the 1987 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Aretha’s 60-year long music career has seen her sing for the Queen of England to President Obama’s inauguration. She also earned a Presidential Medal of Freedom for Music in 2005. Aretha’s cover of “Rolling in the Deep” in 2014 secured her legacy in the music pantheon. She is the first female and only the fourth overall singer to have 100 career titles on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop chart.

Aretha has a very well documented battle with weight issues. Her chain-smoking, crash dieting coupled with her alcoholism compounded the problem. After she quit smoking in 2003, her weight issues progressively got worse. In 2010, Aretha tried unsuccessfully to stage a comeback by giving a few concerts. Unfortunately, her health prevented her from performing or make any appearances until the winter of 2013. In 2014 Aretha has regained better control of her health; she has toured and made appearances. Let us all hope Angel of Death that has taken our heroes and talent in 2016 shows Aretha some R-E-S-P-E-C-T and leaves her alone.

-Isis

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