Gospel singer Aretha Franklin died Thursday at age 76. Franklin’s storied singing career spanned many decades and influenced generations of musicians.
Below is a tribute to her peerless legacy with some of her most beautiful and legendary photos.
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Aretha Franklin in 1971.
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Posing for a portrait lying on a couch circa 1973.
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Circa 1968.
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In 1970.
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Smoking a cigarette as she works in the studio by a microphone at Muscle Shoals Studios in 1969 in Muscle Shoals, Alabama.
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Performing in an undated photo.
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Posing for a portrait circa 1965.
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Posing for a portrait circa 1965.
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Appearing on "The Andy Williams Show" in 1969.
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Posing for a portrait circa 1967.
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At the Muhammad Ali Variety Special in 1975.
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Singing circa 1972.
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Wearing a leather jacket in a 1990 portrait.
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Performing on stage in 1968.
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Portrait in 1973.
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At a news conference in 1973.
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Standing backstage wearing a gold embroidered gown and holding a Grammy Award, circa 1970.
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Holding her Grammy Award for Best Rhythm and Blues performance of the song "Bridge Over Troubled Water," in 1972.
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Alongside Rev. Jesse Jackson at the Operation PUSH Soul Picnic at the 142nd Street Armory in New York in 1972.
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Performing with James Brown at the Taboo nightclub in Detroit in 1987.
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Reviewing a copy of her album "Aretha Franklin -- Soul '69" at Atlantic Records studios in 1969 in New York City.
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Performing onstage at the New Victoria Theater in the United Kingdom circa 1980.
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During the 59th Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City in 2005.
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In 1968.
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At the rehearsal for the "Aretha Franklin: Duets" concert to benefit the Gay Men's Health Crisis at New York's Nederlander Theatre in 1993.
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Holding up her American Music Awards trophy in one hand and her shoes in the other as she poses for photographers backstage at the 10th annual American Music Awards.
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Singing outside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., during President Bill Clinton's inauguration in 1993.
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Performing in 1989 at a casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
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With Arista Records chief Clive Davis at New York's Plaza Hotel for a pre-Grammy party thrown by Davis in 1997.
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Rehearsing with the Blues Brothers at Radio City Music Hall in New York City for the 40th Annual Grammy Awards.
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Performing at "VH1 Divas Live: The One and Only Aretha Franklin" held at Radio City Music Hall in New York City in 2001.