After Dinner Speakers: Aretha Franklin, Adrian Edmondson, Eddie Jordan

Aretha Franklin is one of those artists that epitomizes a particular style of music. Her skillful blend of gospel, rhythm and blues, and pop stylings established her as the "Queen of Soul." She has recorded so many great songs over the past four decades, that it's impossible to single any one out as a favorite; "Chain of Fools," "Rock Steady" and "Day Dreaming" are just three that immediately come to mind. Aretha Franklin is an American institution. She began singing in her father's church choir, graduated to soloist by 12, and began her recording career as a gospel singer at 14. She crossed over to secular music when she was 18, belting out jazz, blues and pop standards for Columbia Records. Her move to the more R&B-friendly Atlantic Records in 1967 changed musical history. Her list of achievements is astonishing. Beyond all the chart and sales statistics, and awards, stands one seminal achievement that blew some doors wide open. Franklin's call for "Respect" is one of the earliest examples of "girl power," a demand to regard women as equal to men.