There are some artists who will always be remembered for their great music. Then there are the legends, musicians who will be remembered for all of time because of how they changed the face of the industry every time they opened their mouths. The late Aretha Franklin [1] was one such musician. She wasn't called the "Queen of Soul" for nothing, after all. Everybody who's anybody knows that no one could bring a house down like she could. Whether she was singing "Amazing Grace [2]" or any other song [3] from her 42 studio albums, she was guaranteed to make you feel something. Seeing her live and in the flesh was a privilege because she always put on a show. In celebration of her incomparable talent and magnetic presence on stage, we give you some of her most iconic live performances.
"Chain of Fools" on Live TV in 1968
From her 14th studio album, Lady Soul, "Chain of Fools" reached number one on the US R&B chart and stayed there for four weeks — which makes sense since Franklin sings the heck out of this song.
"Ooo Baby Baby" With Smokey Robinson on Soul Train in 1979
What's better than one legend breaking out into song? Two legends breaking out into a duet! The fact that we could have had these two on one album has me shook.
"I Say a Little Prayer" on The Cliff Richard Show in 1970.
There have been many other artists who covered the Dionne Warwick song "I Say a Little Prayer," but none have performed it like Franklin. If you ever hear someone singing it, they're probably trying to imitate her.
"Call Me" on This Is Tom Jones in 1970
The live performance of this hit has such a soulful quality to it. The queen always knows how to bring emotion in every note.
"Bridge Over Troubled Water" at Fillmore West in 1971
This performance of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" is hard to see but so worth the listen. You'll have it on repeat.
"Until You Come Back to Me" With Stevie Wonder in 2001
The only way to make a Franklin performance even better is to add another icon to the mix. She and Wonder make beautiful harmonies together.
"(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 1995
Franklin was the first female performer to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and this video shows exactly why!
"I Dreamed a Dream" at Bill Clinton's Inauguration
Pretty sure there wasn't a single dry eye in the house during this live performance of "I Dreamed a Dream."
"(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" at the Kennedy Centre Honours in 2015
Everything about this performance is amazing. Franklin's voice, Carole King's reactions, Barack Obama about to cry, and that dress!
Various Songs at The White House: In The Gospel Tradition in 2015
You're going to find church in this video and you're going to love it.
"I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)" at In Performance at The White House: Women of Soul in 2014
Franklin more than proves she's the Queen of Soul in this live performance at the White House.