Aretha Franklin is a famous singer and musician born in Memphis, Tennesse in 1942. She was the daughter of C.L. Franklin, a preacher, and Barbara Franklin, who was an accomplished pianist and vocalist. Aretha began performing in churches at the age of 14. Her father, C.L., later became her manager, and the two of them toured to different churches to perform. Aretha’s first secular album was released by Columbia Records in early 1961. This album featured her first song to become part of the Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. A few years after the release of this record, Franklin decided against renewing her contract with Columbia and ultimately made the move to Atlantic Records.