One of the most significant milestones of Aretha Franklin’s career came 50 years ago this week, when her single "Respect" muscled the Young Rascals out of No. 1 to top the Billboard Hot 100. The defiant soul anthem was Franklin’s first pop chart-topper and cemented its place as her defining song.
"Wow, really?!" she said Thursday when told of this week’s anniversary. "Well, 'Respect' is standing up, as Jerry Wexler used to say."
Read more at the Detroit Free Press.
