When it comes to rock, the Queen of Soul is top notch. Aretha Franklin leads Rolling Stone’s newly-released list: ‘Women Who Rock: The 50 Greatest Albums of All Time’. The 70-year-old singer landed at No 1 with her 1967 album ‘I Never Loved A Man The Way I Love You’. Besides the title song, that album contains the epic anthem ‘Respect’ and unforgettable cuts like ‘Dr Feelgood’ and ‘Do Right Woman-Do Right Man’. Rolling Stone says of the Motor City diva extraordinaire: “The greatest rock, pop or soul singer ever steps to the mike and clears her throat. Franklin was shocking in 1967, and still is: Nobody has ever sung with more intensity, more swagger, more soul.” Joni Mitchell’s classic 1971 album, ‘Blue’, came in second, followed by British singer Dusty Springfield’s 1969 set ‘Dusty In Memphis’. Rounding out the top five were Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Rumours’ and Patti Smith’s ‘Horses’. Some younger artists nabbed spots in the top 10, including Adele with ‘21’ and Missy Elliot with her 2002 release ‘Under Construction’. The essential Motown girl group, the Supremes, rank ninth with the 2001 release ‘Anthology’. And Michigan icon Madonna is at No. 18 for her 1989 groove-a-thon ‘Like A Prayer’. The ‘Women Who Rock’ effort will give one lucky up and coming female artist the opportunity to appear on the back cover of Rolling Stone magazine.
