Thirty-Third Anniversary of Big Day For the “Queen of Soul”

On January 21, 1987, Aretha Franklin broke down the doors to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, which had featured exclusively male rock and roll artists. To be sure, being the first woman inducted into the Hall was a huge honor and it was something that "Lady Soul" took very seriously.

Aretha paved the way for the Supremes, Tina Turner, Janis Joplin, Etta James, Joni Mitchell, Stevie Nicks and Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac, the Shirelles, Brenda Lee, Bonnie Raitt, Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders, the Ronettes, Patti Smith, Deborah Harry of Blondie, Joan Jett, Grace Slick, Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart, Linda Ronstadt, Donna Summer, and the list goes on....

Unfortunately, there are still plenty of glaring oversights when it comes to women inductees. For instance, Carole King is in as a songwriter but not as a performer. Considering King's Tapestry is one of the biggest selling albums ever, that omission is unacceptable. And if the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame is going to expand the definition of rock and roll to include pop artists like Whitney Houston, than what about country music? Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline(who's song "Crazy" is one of the most-played jukebox songs of all-time),and Loretta Lynn should definitely be inducted.

How about Annie Lennox of the Eurythmics? Or Cyndi Lauper? Carly Simon? Emmylou Harris or Roberta Flack? And if the Hall is going to include pop artists, what about Karen Carpenter who wrote or co-wrote numerous million-selling hits? But, I digress. Maybe(hopefully)these women will get inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame someday. And someday soon. The point is, it was the late Aretha Franklin who opened the doors. Thanks for that, "Lady Soul".