Aretha Franklin was the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame today (January 3, 1987).
The 1987 ceremony was the largest number of nominees in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s history, with 22 acts being inducted.
Aretha was a recognized as a “singer of great passion and control who’s finest recordings define the term soul music in all it’s deep, expressive glory.”
Although Aretha was not able to attend the ceremony due to her fear of flying, she was inducted by two legendary singers.
Chuck Berry and Rolling Stones member Keith Richards inducted Aretha into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, as Atlantic records bosses Jerry Wexler and Ahmet Ertegun cheered on.
Eventually, Aretha made it to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, when the museum was built in Cleveland, Ohio.
She performed at a ceremony and marveled at her own display.
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