FRIDAY MUSIC: The Franklin sisters (Aretha & co.), by JD

I think most people will know of Aretha Franklin, often styled as The Queen of Soul. What is not so well known is that she had two sisters who were also singers, all three being daughters of the Rev C L Franklin who was pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit from 1946 until he was shot and wounded in 1979.

Franklin senior was known as the man with the "Million-Dollar Voice" and he and his daughters (as well as his sons) would sing in his church.

The recording industry is unpredictable such that only Aretha made a successful career in it; she would say that her elder sister Erma was a better singer and yet is relatively unknown.

So a brief selection from all of them including father.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erma_Franklin
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aretha_Franklin
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carolyn_Franklin

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._L._Franklin

Erma Franklin - Piece of My Heart (Video)

Erma Franklin - I Get The Sweetest Feeling

[Teenage] Aretha Franklin Sings Gospel!! 

(the backing singer here with the beautiful clear soprano voice is Cissy Houston, mother of Whitney)

ARETHA FRANKLIN "AIN'T NO WAY" (written by Carolyn Franklin)

It's True I'm Gonna Miss You

I Can't Help My Feeling So Blue

Aretha Franklin feat. Rev. Cecil & Erma Franklin

Rev. C.L. Franklin-Your Mother Loves Her Children