The incomparable Aretha Franklin blazed a trail for countless others and her indelible mark on music is next to none. Her passing today at the age of 76 is a reminder that there has never been a voice like hers and there likely won’t be one ever again.
In honor of the Queen of Soul, we look back on her life through the images below.
Aretha Franklin
ShareAmerican soul singer Aretha Franklin, a star on the Atlantic record label. (Photo by Express Newspapers/Getty Images)
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ShareNEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 07: Aretha Franklin performs onstage at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Commemorates Its 25th Year And Honors Founder Sir Elton John During New York Fall Gala at Cathedral of St. John the Divine on November 7, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Elton John AIDS Foundation Commemorates Its 25th Year And Honors Founder Sir Elton John During New York Fall Gala – Show
ShareNEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 07: Aretha Franklin performs onstage at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Commemorates Its 25th Year And Honors Founder Sir Elton John During New York Fall Gala at Cathedral of St. John the Divine on November 7, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Elton John AIDS Foundation Commemorates Its 25th Year And Honors Founder Sir Elton John During New York Fall Gala – Show
ShareNEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 07: Aretha Franklin performs onstage at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Commemorates Its 25th Year And Honors Founder Sir Elton John During New York Fall Gala at Cathedral of St. John the Divine on November 7, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)
Elton John AIDS Foundation Commemorates Its 25th Year And Honors Founder Sir Elton John During New York Fall Gala – Show
ShareNEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 07: President Bill Clinton and Aretha Franklin attend the Elton John AIDS Foundation Commemorates Its 25th Year And Honors Founder Sir Elton John During New York Fall Gala at Cathedral of St. John the Divine on November 7, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
Opening Night Party – 2017 Tribeca Film Festival
ShareNEW YORK, NY - APRIL 19: (L-R) Jane Rosenthal, Robert De Niro, Aretha Franklin and Grace Hightower attend the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival Opening Night Party at Tavern On The Green on April 19, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Rob Kim/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival)
“Clive Davis: The Soundtrack Of Our Lives” Premiere Concert – 2017 Tribeca Film Festival
ShareNEW YORK, NY - APRIL 19: Aretha Franklin performs onstage during the "Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives" Premiere Concert during the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival at Radio City Music Hall on April 19, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Noam Galai/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival)
Clive Davis’ Pre-Grammy Gala – Show
ShareNEW YORK - FEBRUARY 22: Singer Aretha Franklin performs onstage during Clive Davis' pre-Grammy Gala at the Regency Hotel's Grand Ballroom February 22, 2003 in New York City. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)
Soul Train 30th Anniversary Television Stills
Share384820 04: Singer Aretha Franklin with show host and producer Don Cornelius. Franklin was one of many entertainers who performed on "Soul Train" in the 1970''s, part of the Soul Train 30th Anniversary "Divas and Kings 2000 & Beyond." (Photo by 2001 Tribune Entertainment)
Tony Bennett’s 85th Birthday Gala Benefit for Exploring the Arts
ShareNEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 18: Aretha Franklin (L) and Elton John attend Tony Bennett's 85th Birthday Gala Benefit for Exploring the Arts at The Metropolitan Opera House on September 18, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Tony Bennett)
Tony Bennett’s 85th Birthday Gala Benefit for Exploring the Arts
ShareNEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 18: Aretha Franklin and Tony Bennett perform onstage during Tony Bennett's 85th Birthday Gala Benefit for Exploring the Arts at The Metropolitan Opera House on September 18, 2011 in New York City. (Photo by Larry Busacca/Getty Images)
Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular
ShareCHICAGO, IL - MAY 17: Aretha Franklin performs during Surprise Oprah! A Farewell Spectacular at the United Center on May 17, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images)
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ShareAretha Franklin & Condoleezza Rice In Concert
SharePHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 27: Aretha Franklin performs with the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Mann Center for Performing Arts on July 27, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo Jeff Fusco/Getty Images)
Aretha Franklin & Condoleezza Rice In Concert
SharePHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 27: Aretha Franklin (R) and Ron Isley (L) perform with the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Mann Center for Performing Arts on July 27, 2010 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo Jeff Fusco/Getty Images)
2010 Apollo Theater Spring Benefit Concert & Awards Ceremony – Show
ShareNEW YORK - JUNE 14: Singer Aretha Franklin performs after she was inducted into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame at the 2010 Apollo Theater Spring Benefit Concert & Awards Ceremony at The Apollo Theater on June 14, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Jemal Countess/Getty Images)
32nd Kennedy Center Honors
ShareWASHINGTON - DECEMBER 06: Aretha Franklin poses for photographer on the red carpet before the 32nd Kennedy Center Honors at Kennedy Center Hall of States on December 6, 2009 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kris Connor/Getty Images)
Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Lighting
ShareNEW YORK - DECEMBER 02: Singer Aretha Franklin performs onstage at attends the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting at Rockefeller Center on December 2, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Concert – Night 2 – Show
ShareNEW YORK - OCTOBER 30: Aretha Franklin and Annie Lennox perform onstage at the 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concert at Madison Square Garden on October 30, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
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ShareNEW YORK - OCTOBER 30: Aretha Franklin performs onstage at the 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concert at Madison Square Garden on October 30, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame Concert – Night 2 – Show
ShareNEW YORK - OCTOBER 30: Aretha Franklin and Annie Lennox perform onstage at the 25th Anniversary Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Concert at Madison Square Garden on October 30, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
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ShareWEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 21: Aretha Franklin performs at The House of Blues on November 21, 2008 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Timothy Norris/Getty Images)
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ShareWEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 21: Aretha Franklin performs at The House of Blues on November 21, 2008 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Timothy Norris/Getty Images)
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ShareEAST HAMPTON, NY - AUGUST 23: Aretha Franklin performs for @Ross 08 Series Benefiting Ross School's Programs and Scholarships at Ross School on August 23, 2008 in East Hampton, New York (Photo by Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Ross School)
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ShareNEW YORK - MARCH 21: Singer Aretha Franklin performs at Radio City Music Hall on March 21, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)
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ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 14: Singer Aretha Franklin accepts the Vanguard Award onstage during the 39th NAACP Image Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on February 14, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images)
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ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Singer Aretha Franklin performs onstage during the 2008 MusiCares person of the year honoring Aretha Franklin held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 8, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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ShareLOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 08: Singer Aretha Franklin arrives at the 2008 MusiCares person of the year honoring Aretha Franklin held at the Los Angeles Convention Center on February 8, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
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ShareNEW YORK - MARCH 12: Presenter Aretha Franklin answers questions in the press room at the 22nd annual Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel March 12, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Peter Kramer/Getty Images)
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SharePortrait of American soul singer Aretha Franklin as she wears a strapless dress and pearl necklace and has her hair in a bun, 1977. (Photo bhy Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
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ShareSOUTHAMPTON, NY - JULY 4: Singer Aretha Franklin arrives to the "P Diddy" Combs Annual White Party on July 4, 2004 at the Playstation 2 Estate, in Southampton, New York. (Photo by Brad Barket/Getty Images)
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ShareNovember 1980: American singer Aretha Franklin, the 'first lady of soul', in performance. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
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ShareAmerican soul singer Aretha Franklin dancing for the cameras. (Photo by Express Newspapers/Getty Images)