10 Rare facts about Queen Of Soul Aretha Franklin

Source: Wikimedia Commons

We all love Miss Aretha Franklin's golden voice and classic melodies, but how much do we know about the woman? Here are 10 rare tidbits about the Queen Of Soul:

1) Born on March 25, 1942, her middle name is Louise. Aretha Louise Franklin.

2) Aretha's father was an infamous preacher who was known as the man with the 'million-dollar-voice" as he earned massively by giving sermons in churches across the country.

3) Her biggest signature hit 'Respect' was originally written and performed by Otis Redding in 1965 - two years before Franklin's version was released.

4) Aretha filled-in for an ailing Pavarotti as she performed the opera aria 'Nessun Dorma' at the 1998 Grammys- in a very short notice of 20 minutes, her lauded performance got a standing ovation from the crowd.

5) Aretha has a phobia of flights after having a bad experience on a turbulent flight in 1984. She has restricted flying since then which has limited her touring options.

6) Aretha is the first female artist to be inducted to the Rock n Roll Hall Of Fame

Source: Wikimedia Commons

7) The Queen Of Soul has performed at the inauguration ceremonies of three U.S. Presidents: Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and Barack Obama.

8) Aretha became a mother at the age of 14, when she gave birth to her son Clarence. The father's identity has never been revealed.

9) The first solo Aretha ever sang was 'Jesus, Be A Fence Around Me' - which she performed as a kid in her father's church.

10) Aretha Franklin's mother was herself a piano player and a vocalist - however the Queen of soul learned to play the piano just by listening to her mother play and had no formal training on the same.