Ever since the news came that Aretha Franklin was seriously ill, the tributes to the Queen of Soul began filling social media and many fond memories were shared. When she passed Thursday, there was an even greater outpouring of observances from music icons as well as a poignant tribute from former President Obama. Franklin not only took soul music to its creative and commercial pinnacle (while keeping her turbulent private life out of the spotlight), but also inspired generations of singers, was an accomplished pianist and a master of the modern viral video, showed her opera chops at the Grammys and even once called the L.A. Times to explain a line from the song “Respect.” (Actually T-C-B as in taking care of business)
