29 moments
Birth in Memphis
· Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Wikimedia Commons · file Franklin was born at her family home in Memphis, Tennessee. Coordinates represent central Memphis rather than the historic residence.
Family move to Buffalo
· Buffalo, New York, United States
As a small child, Franklin moved with her family from Memphis to Buffalo. Year is derived from her March 1942 birth and the source's age statement.
Family relocation to Detroit
· Detroit, Michigan, United States
Franklin's family permanently relocated to Detroit when her father became pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church. Year is age-derived; coordinates represent Detroit.
Early gospel singing at New Bethel
· New Bethel Baptist Church, Detroit, Michigan, United States
After her mother's death, Franklin began performing gospel solos at her father's Detroit church. The source places this just after her mother's March 1952 death; month and day are not established.
Move to New York for recording career
· New York City, New York, United States
Wikimedia Commons · file After turning eighteen, Franklin left Detroit for New York to pursue pop recording, soon leading to her Columbia Records contract. The source supports the year but not a more precise move date.
FAME Studios recording session
· FAME Studios, Muscle Shoals, Alabama, United States
Franklin traveled to Muscle Shoals to record “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You),” a pivotal Atlantic-era session.
First overseas tour appearance
· Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Wikimedia Commons · Public domain in the United States because it was published in the United States between 1931 and 1977, inclusive, without a copyright notice. · file Franklin made her first tour outside the United States, appearing at Amsterdam's Concertgebouw. The source gives a late-April/May window, so only the year is used.
London concert at Finsbury Park Astoria
· Finsbury Park Astoria, London, England, United Kingdom
During her first overseas tour, Franklin performed one of two London concerts at the Finsbury Park Astoria. The source lists the venues and dates sequentially; this card assigns the first listed date to the first listed venue.
London concert at Hammersmith Odeon
· Hammersmith Odeon, London, England, United Kingdom
Franklin gave the second of her two London concerts during her first overseas tour. The source lists the venues and dates sequentially; this card assigns the second listed date to the second listed venue.
Return engagement at Hammersmith Odeon
· Hammersmith Odeon, London, England, United Kingdom
Franklin returned to London's Hammersmith Odeon during the month her album Spirit in the Dark was released.
Headline performance at Fillmore West
· Fillmore West, San Francisco, California, United States
Franklin became the first R&B performer to headline San Francisco's Fillmore West, later issuing a live album from the engagement. The source supports the year but not a more precise performance date.
Amazing Grace recording
· New Temple Missionary Baptist Church, Los Angeles, California, United States
Franklin recorded her landmark live gospel album Amazing Grace over two nights at New Temple Missionary Baptist Church. The documented activity spans January 13–14; JSONL date precision is therefore month-level.
Las Vegas engagement when her father was shot
· Aladdin Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Franklin was performing in Las Vegas when her father, C. L. Franklin, was shot at his Detroit home. The former Aladdin Hotel site is used for coordinates.
Royal Variety Performance
· London Palladium, London, England, United Kingdom
Franklin participated in the Royal Variety Performance at the London Palladium before Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
Return to Detroit area
· Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, United States
Franklin left Encino and returned to the Detroit suburb of Bloomfield Hills to support her sisters and help care for her father. The biographical account specifies that she moved back in late 1982; no exact date is supplied.
One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism recording
· New Bethel Baptist Church, Detroit, Michigan, United States
Franklin recorded her second full-length gospel album at her late father's New Bethel church in Detroit. The source establishes the recording location and year but no recording date.
WrestleMania III opening performance
· Pontiac Silverdome, Pontiac, Michigan, United States
Franklin opened WrestleMania III by singing “America the Beautiful” at the Pontiac Silverdome. The Pontiac Silverdome was demolished; coordinates identify its former site.
Grammy performance of Nessun Dorma
· Radio City Music Hall, New York City, New York, United States
Wikimedia Commons · Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0 Generic · file At the 40th Grammy Awards, Franklin stepped in after Luciano Pavarotti became ill and performed “Nessun Dorma.”
VH1 Divas Live
· Beacon Theatre, New York City, New York, United States
Franklin performed at the inaugural VH1 Divas concert, including “Chain of Fools” with Mariah Carey.
Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony
· White House, Washington, D.C., United States
Wikimedia Commons · public domain · file Franklin received the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House.
Obama inaugural ceremony performance
· United States Capitol, Washington, D.C., United States
Wikimedia Commons · Public domain · file Franklin sang “My Country, ’Tis of Thee” during Barack Obama's first inaugural ceremony. Coordinates identify the Capitol, the site of the inaugural ceremony.
Chicago comeback show
· Chicago Theatre, Chicago, Illinois, United States
After surgery and concert cancellations, Franklin made her comeback show at the Chicago Theatre.
Detroit Christmas concert
· MotorCity Casino Hotel, Detroit, Michigan, United States
Franklin returned to live performance with a Christmas concert at Detroit's MotorCity Casino Hotel. The source does not provide a more precise concert date.
Radio City Music Hall tour opening
· Radio City Music Hall, New York City, New York, United States
Wikimedia Commons · file Franklin launched a multi-city tour with a performance at Radio City Music Hall.
Kennedy Center Honors tribute to Carole King
· John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C., United States
Franklin performed “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman” in the tribute segment for Kennedy Center honoree Carole King. The source gives December 2015 but not the ceremony day.
Thanksgiving national-anthem performance
· Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan, United States
Franklin performed the U.S. national anthem before the Detroit Lions' Thanksgiving Day game at Ford Field. Thanksgiving Day in 2016 fell on November 24.
Last full concert
· Ravinia Festival, Highland Park, Illinois, United States
Franklin gave her last full concert at the Ravinia Festival.
Final public performance
· Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York City, New York, United States
Franklin's final public performance took place during Elton John's AIDS Foundation anniversary gala.
Death at Detroit home
· Riverfront Towers, Detroit, Michigan, United States
Franklin died at her home in Detroit after entering hospice care there. Coordinates identify the Riverfront Towers area cited as her home shortly before her death.