Aretha Franklin possessed one of the most powerful and expressive voices in popular music, but her life away from the microphone was every bit as complex as the songs she performed. This episode follows her from a childhood shaped by gospel music, family upheaval and the influence of Detroit's Black church, through teenage motherhood, difficult relationships and her long search for artistic freedom. We explore her breakthrough at Atlantic Records, the transformation of "Respect" into an anthem, her connections with the civil rights movement, her remarkable comebacks and the private determination behind the woman celebrated around the world as the Queen of Soul.

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