Music
Carolyn Franklin
1944–1988 · singer, songwriter
Youngest Franklin sister, raised at New Bethel Baptist Church, who wrote Aretha's "Ain't No Way" and "Angel".
- Born
Memphis, Tennessee- Died
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
aged 43- Birth name
- Carolyn Ann Franklin
- Detroit years
- c. 1946–1988
- Field
- Music
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
The youngest of Rev. C. L. Franklin's six children, Carolyn was born in Memphis and came to Detroit around 1946, when the family settled there, and she began singing at her father's New Bethel Baptist Church. Following her sisters Erma and Aretha into secular music, she first recorded in 1963 and made five albums for RCA between 1969 and 1976, including Baby Dynamite and Chain Reaction. Her real impact came as a songwriter for Aretha: she wrote "Ain't No Way" (1968), and "Angel" (1973), which opens with Aretha crediting her, and co-wrote "Pullin'". She also sang background on many of Aretha's records and appeared as one of her backup singers in The Blues Brothers (1980). She retired from recording in 1976 and died of breast cancer at Aretha's home in Bloomfield Hills in 1988, aged 43. She is buried at Detroit's Woodlawn Cemetery with other members of the family.
Highlights
- Wrote Aretha Franklin's "Ain't No Way" (1968)
- Wrote "Angel" (1973)
- Five albums for RCA (1969–1976)
- Backing singer in The Blues Brothers (1980)
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 2
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Performed here · late 1940s–1950s
New Bethel Baptist Church
Her father's church, where she began singing.
Buried here · 1988
Woodlawn Cemetery
Her grave, with other members of the Franklin family.