Erma Franklin

Erma Vernice Franklin, known professionally as Erma Franklin, was born on March 13, 1938, in Shelby, Mississippi. She was an American singer of gospel and R&B music. At the age of nine, she moved to Detroit, Michigan, where her father became a pastor at New Bethel Baptist Church. Franklin began singing at her father's church and later studied business at Clark Atlanta University. Her breakthrough came in 1967 with the release of "Piece of My Heart", which reached Number six on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart and Number 62 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song, written by Bert Berns, earned her a Grammy Award nomination. She released her debut album Her Name Is Erma in 1962 through Epic Records, followed by Soul Sister in 1969 with Brunswick Records. She was also featured in the film biopic Respect, portraying Aretha Franklin's sister. She passed away on September 7, 2002, from throat cancer in Detroit, Michigan.