SiriusXM Remembers Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul
Hear tributes across SiriusXM channels this week including Soul Town, VOLUME, Radio Andy, and many more.
SiriusXM is sad to report that Aretha Franklin, universally recognized as the “Queen of Soul,” has died after a long battle with cancer. She was 76.
Aretha Franklin is one of the best-selling musical artists of all time, with more than 75 million records sold worldwide. In 1987, she was the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In addition to the 18 Grammy Awards that she won during her incomparable career (out of 44 nominations), the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences awarded her a Grammy Legend Award in 1991, then a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 1994. When Rolling Stone magazine named its “100 Greatest Singers of All Time,” she was placed in the No. 1 position; “Aretha is a gift from God,” wrote Mary J. Blige for the list. “When it comes to expressing yourself through song, there is no one who can touch her.”
Franklin was a Kennedy Center Honoree in 1994, a recipient of the National Medal of Arts in 1999, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2005. “American history wells up when Aretha sings,” said President Barack Obama, explaining his emotional response to her stunning performance of “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” at the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors. “Nobody embodies more fully the connection between the African-American spiritual, the blues, R&B, rock and roll—the way that hardship and sorrow were transformed into something full of beauty and vitality and hope.”
In addition to her magnificent singing, Franklin was a groundbreaking pianist, arranger, and songwriter. She recorded a total of 112 singles that reached the Billboard charts, including 77 Hot 100 entries, 17 top ten pop singles, 100 R&B entries, and twenty No. 1 R&B singles, making her the most charted female artist in history.
Join us as Soul Town becomes The Aretha Franklin Tribute Channel in honor of her contribution to popular music. The weeklong channel features music from her iconic career as well as archival interviews and tributes from fans, friends, and family.
SiriusXM VOLUME also discusses her life, music, and legacy during their live broadcasts.
Radio Andy shares memories of Aretha Franklin all day on August 16 and airs a live tribute on “Bevelations: Remembering the Queen of Soul” from 4–6pm ET, as well as a special “All Aretha” edition of “Deep & Shallow,” featuring songs, tributes, memories, and more at 6pm ET. “The Feels with John Arthur Hill” also honors the late icon.
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Radio highlights Franklin’s music and airs reflections from fellow artists each hour throughout the week.
With her music spanning multiple decades and genres, Aretha Franklin’s music can also be heard across many SiriusXM channels, including Heart & Soul, 80s on 8, 70s on 7, and 60s on 6.
