Aretha Franklin Trivia Questions

Aretha Franklin sang the patriotic hymn at the 2009 inauguration ceremony, wearing a memorable hat, making it an iconic performance.

Aretha Franklin was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987, becoming the first female performer to receive that honor.

Aretha was self-taught on piano, learning by ear in church. She never attended Juilliard or received formal classical training.

She was ordained as a minister in the New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit in 1978, and occasionally delivered sermons there.

She was terrified of flying and often toured by bus or private car. There is no record of her ever piloting an aircraft.

Aretha Franklin's father, C.L. Franklin, managed her early gospel career, but there is no record of her firing him. She transitioned to professional management as her secular career developed.

Aretha was inducted in 1987 as the first female performer—a surprising fact since many assume it happened later or went to someone like Tina Turner.

In 1968, Aretha Franklin's albums 'Lady Soul' and 'Aretha Now' both occupied positions in the top 10 of Billboard's R&B album chart at the same time, making her the first artist to achieve this milestone.