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Aretha Franklin in 1968

Gospel / Soul

Gospel is a kind of music that developed partly from the songs slaves sang on plantations and partly from Protestant hymns they sang in church. Vocal soloists who sing with enthusiasm and spiritual inspiration are the best-known kinds of gospel singers. Vocal and choral groups also sing gospel. Many people consider Mahalia Jackson the world's greatest gospel singer. Jackson was most popular during the 1950s, though the rise of gospel began in the 1930s.

Gospel music influenced countless African-American singers and musicians in the years to come. In the late 1950s, "soul" music combined gospel and worldly themes. This passionate music was made especially famous by James Brown, called "The Godfather of Soul," and Aretha Franklin, known as the "Queen of Soul." Both have been making music since the 1960s. Franklin has recorded both soul and gospel, and her legendary song "Respect" remains one of the most famous and inspirational songs in all of music.









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