When ReRe recorded her first album, “The Great Aretha Franklin,” in 1960, the diva die was cast. It was like a self-fulfilling prophecy or maybe she always knew she was great enough to become “The Undisputed Queen of Soul” and the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Only a true diva could drop one diva anthem after another—“Respect,” “Think” and “Chain of Fools”—all topping the charts. She’s been giving brothers their walking papers and empowering sisters with a don’t-take-no-stuff attitude since the 60s. And, she’s still working it. Remember that hat she wore while singing the National Anthem at President Barack Obama’s 2008 Inauguration? That’s diva. Better yet, that’s Queen of Soul diva.
