Music Minute!

Aretha Franklin

Did you know that Aretha Franklin was never signed to Motown?

Franklin was one of the few successful African-American entertainers of the 1960s and 1970s who was not signed to Motown. Instead, she was a member of the Columbia Records and Atlantic Records during the peak years of her career, which she chose because she wanted to target a larger audience.

Among the acts who rose to fame under the guidance of Motown were The Supremes, Diana Ross, The Temptations, Stevie Wonder and Marvin Gaye. Interestingly, Franklin lived quite close to the Detroit headquarters of Motown and often recorded at the legendary studios.

Watch Franklin explain why she refused to sign to Motown below:

Now you know!