Aretha Franklin — the "Queen of Soul" — Thursday at the age of 76 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Her music is a crucial part of the American cannon, bridging the gaps between gospel and popular music, civil rights and pop culture.
Franklin was just 25 when her anthem "Respect" was released.
The Queen of Soul was one of the best-selling artists of all time, selling more than 75 million records — and she will be very missed.
