David Ritz Books
David Ritz is an American author and music biographer known for his collaborations with major artists such as Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, and B. B.
Known for: Respect: The Life of Aretha Franklin
Books by David Ritz
Respect: The Life of Aretha Franklin
A comprehensive biography of Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, chronicling her life, career, and influence on music and culture. Written by David Ritz, who collaborated with Franklin on her autobiography, this book draws on extensive interviews and research to portray her personal struggles, triumphs, and enduring legacy.
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Roots: The Preacher’s Daughter
Aretha Louise Franklin was born in 1942 in Memphis, raised amid the traveling circuit of her father, Reverend C.L. Franklin—a charismatic preacher whose sermons electrified congregations and drew both spiritual seekers and civil rights leaders. The Franklin home resonated with two powerful forces: s...
From Respect: The Life of Aretha Franklin
Emergence and Struggle: The Columbia Years
By her teens, Aretha’s gift could no longer be contained within church walls. Her father, both protective and ambitious, introduced her to managers and record executives, culminating in a deal with Columbia Records in the early 1960s. The label, however, did not yet understand her essence. They plac...
From Respect: The Life of Aretha Franklin
About David Ritz
David Ritz is an American author and music biographer known for his collaborations with major artists such as Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, and B.B. King. He has written or co-written numerous acclaimed biographies and autobiographies in the field of popular music.
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David Ritz is an American author and music biographer known for his collaborations with major artists such as Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, and B. B.
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