Today in History—January 3: Put Some Respect on Her Name

In 1986 the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inducted its first 10 musical icons, including such recognizable figures as Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly. Noticeably, however, the group didn’t include a single female artist. Fast-forward to January 3, 1987, when Aretha Franklin was announced as the first woman to be inducted by the Hall of Fame, cementing her status as the indisputable Queen of Soul and one of the most powerful voices to emerge from the early rhythm-and-blues era.

Though she did not attend the official induction ceremony in New York a few weeks later on January 21, she sent a message with record executive Clive Davis about what the honor meant to her. “I am highly honored to be held in such high esteem along with my peers and with my old friends,” Davis shared on her behalf. “To be the first woman inductee into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame is a historical moment and indeed a milestone in my career.” For his part, Davis described working with Franklin as “being a part of history,” adding, “It’s like no other experience I’ve ever had.”

Born in 1942, Franklin grew up in Detroit and sang gospel across the United States, honing her talent for a religious audience. In 1960 after getting the green light from her father to sing more-secular music, she moved to New York and signed a record deal with Columbia Records. The music she sang was a mix of many genres, designed to appeal to teenagers and adults alike; the passionate and soulful vocals she would later be known for had yet to emerge.

Everything changed in 1966. Franklin signed with a new label, Atlantic Records, and sang some of her most famous numbers in the latter half of the 1960s. “Respect” (1967), which was originally performed by Otis Redding, was her breakout hit. Franklin transformed the song, initially sung in the context of a man wishing for just an ounce of his lover’s respect, into a radical demand for equality for marginalized groups. The song became vital to the civil rights movement, gaining new meaning with Franklin’s lyrical changes and passionate vocals.

The late 1960s saw Franklin release more hits, including “(You Make Me Feel like) A Natural Woman” (1967) and “I Say a Little Prayer” (1968). She was a trailblazer, and her induction into the Hall of Fame paved the way for more representation: Since 1987, more than 80 additional women have received the same honor. And the first 13 were Black women. Gladys Knight, who was inducted in 1996, said Franklin’s “music set a standard for every single lady in this industry to rise to.”

It’s no wonder Franklin is remembered today as “Lady Soul.”