Happy Birthday Aretha Franklin

Birthday wishes to Aretha Franklin who celebrates her 70th today (March 25).  The 'Queen of Soul' was born in Memphis and was raised in Detroit.  She began her career singing in the New Bethel Baptist Church where her father was the minister.  She recorded her breakthrough hit, "Respect," in 1967 which earned her two Grammy Awards.  Franklin was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.  Aretha celebrated her birthday Saturday night at the Helmsley Park Lane Hotel with family and friends, including record mogul Clive Davis.  Franklin announced she has signed a recording contract to work with Davis and the two plan to meet next month to discuss the details of her new album.