Aretha Franklin before she was famous

The nobody years

1. 1942

   Was born in Memphis, Tennessee. Source

2. 1947

   Moved with her family to Detroit by the time she was five. Source

3. 1952

   Lost her mother to a heart attack shortly before her tenth birthday. Source

4. 1952

   Began singing solos at New Bethel Baptist Church, where her father was the minister. Source

5. early 1950s

   Learned to play the piano by ear rather than from lessons. Source

6. 1954

   Was managed by her father from the age of twelve. Source

7. 1956

   Released her first single, Never Grow Old, on the J.V.B. label. Source

8. late 1950s

   Dropped out of Northern High School in Detroit during her second year. Source

9. 1960

   Signed with Columbia Records at eighteen and released Today I Sing the Blues. Source

10. 1960-1966

    Spent six years at Columbia without a major hit before the contract expired. Source