Aretha Franklin
The “Queen of Soul” is also on our list, of course. Can you believe that Aretha Franklin started as a church gospel singer? Based on this alone, we doubt that she had any idea she would become so famous. She was 18 years old when she signed a contract with Columbia Records. This musician was legendary in so many ways. For one thing, she went on to release 131 singles, as well as 38 studio albums. Aside from that, she became the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
Aretha Franklin
ADVERTISEMENT
