The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin, has passed away, leaving behind a musical legacy as powerful as her signature voice.

From her first JET feature in 1967 to date, we’ve supported the legendary multitalented musician while discussing topics including music, body confidence, her various romances and much more. Franklin graced four EBONY covers and a whopping 26 JET covers over the course of her career, opening up to fans within its pages for over 40 years.

Today, EBONY celebrates the Detroit diva with 20 of her best JET and EBONY magazine covers. Check them out below.

1967

Aretha Franklin, JET Magazine, EBONY Magazine, April 20th, 1967
Aretha Franklin Covers JET Magazine in the April 20, 1967 issue. Credit: Johnson Publication/EBONY Magazine
  • In February 1967, the song “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)” was released and hit No. 9 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It became Franklin’s first Top 10 pop single.

1970

Aretha Franklin, JET Magazine, EBONY Magazine, Johnson Publication, November 12, 1970
Aretha Franklin Covers a 1970 Issue of JET Magazine. Credit: Johnson Publication/EBONY
  • The Rock & Roll Hall of Famer’s 19th studio album, Spirit in the Dark, was released on Atlantic Records in August.

1971

Aretha Franklin, EBONY magazine
Aretha Franklin appearing on her first EBONY magazine cover in December 1971. Credit: Johnson Publication/Ebony Magazine
  • In March, “Sister Superstar” became the first R&B performer to headline Fillmore West, the historic rock ‘n’ roll venue in San Francisco.

1971

Aretha Franklin, JET Magazine, September 23, 1971, EBONY Magazine
Aretha Franklin featured on the cover of JET Magazine in 1971. Credit: Johnson Publication/EBONY Magazine
  • Franklin was one of the musicians present at the 1971 Black Expo, which was organized by Operation PUSH (People United to Save Humanity), founded by Rev. Jesse L. Jackson.

1974

Aretha Franklin, JET Magazine, EBONY magazine, May 2, 1974
Aretha Franklin on the cover of JET for May 2, 1974 issue. Credit: Johnson Publication/EBONY Magazine
  • Let Me in Your Life, the 22nd studio album from the Queen of Soul, was released in February.

1975

Aretha Franklin, JET Magazine, EBONY Magazine, May 15, 1975
Aretha Franklin Covers JET Magazine on the May 15, 1975 issue. Credit: Johnson Publication/EBONY Magazine
  • The Grammy winner took home her 10th award, Best Female R&B Vocal Performance for “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing.”

1976

Aretha Franklin, JET Magazine, EBONY Magazine, Feb 26th, 1976
Aretha Franklin on the cover of JET magazine in the Feb 26, 1976 issue. Credit: Johnson Publication/EBONY magazine
  • Franklin worked with Curtis Mayfield on the soundtrack for Sparkle, the film starring Irene Cara.

1976

Aretha Franklin, JET Magazine, EBONY Magazine, Johnson Publication
Aretha Franklin Covers a 1976 Issue of EBONY Magazine. Credit: Johnson Publication/EBONY Magazine
  • The musical icon’s ballad “Something He Can Feel,” was released in May and became a No. 1 hit on the R&B singles chart.

1978

Aretha Franklin, JET magazine, Glynn Turman, EBONY Magazine
Aretha Franklin with then-husband Glynn Turman on an April 1978 cover of JET magazine. Credit: Johnson Publication/JET magazine/EBONY
  • Franklin married her second husband, actor Glynn Turman.

1980

Aretha Franklin, JET magazine
Aretha Franklin on the cover of JET magazine in August 1980. Credit: Johnson Publication/EBONY magazine
  • In September, Aretha, the soulful singer’s 29th studio album, was released.

1981

Aretha Franklin, JET Magazine, EBONY Magazine, Johnson Publication
Aretha Franklin Covers a 1981 Issue of Jet Magazine. Credit: Johnson Publication/EBONY Magazine
  • Love All the Hurt Away, Franklin’s 1981 release, received critical acclaim and earned the diva her 11th Grammy for Sam & Dave cover, “Hold On, I’m Coming.”

1985

Aretha Franklin, JET Magazine, EBONY Magazine, Johnson Publication
Aretha Franklin Covers a 1985 Issue of JET Magazine. Credit: Johnson Publication/EBONY Magazine
  • Franklin earned her first platinum certification for 1985’s Who’s Zoomin’ Who?.

1987

Aretha Franklin, JET Magazine, EBONY Magazine, Johnson Publication
Aretha Franklin Covers a 1987 Issue of Jet Magazine. Credit: Johnson Publication/EBONY Magazine
  •  Franklin graced her 1987 JET cover with “forever friend” William “Willie” Wilkerson. The pair remained close for years, and for a while in early 2012, they were engaged.

1992

Aretha Franklin, JET Magazine, EBONY Magazine, Johnson Publication
Aretha Franklin Covers a 1992 Issue of Jet Magazine. Credit: Johnson Publication/EBONY Magazine
  • The Queen commanded the attention of all at the 1992 Democratic National Convention with her soulful rendition of the national anthem.

1995

Aretha Franklin, JET Magazine, EBONY Magazine, Johnson Publication
Aretha Franklin Covers a 1995 Issue of EBONY Magazine. Credit: Johnson Publication/EBONY Magazine
  • Franklin performed at a benefit for New York City’s Presbyterian Hospital’s Sloane Hospital for Women.

1996

Aretha Franklin, JET Magazine, EBONY Magazine, Johnson Publication
Aretha Franklin Covers a 1996 Issue of Jet Magazine. Credit: Johnson Publication/EBONY Magazine
  • This 1996 JET cover story found the songstress discussing her influence and impact after 30 years in the industry.

1999

Aretha Franklin, JET Magazine, EBONY Magazine, Johnson Publication
Aretha Franklin Covers a 1999 Issue of Jet Magazine. Credit: Johnson Publication/EBONY Magazine
  • In 1999, the extraordinary musician became an author and sat down with JET to discuss her autobiography, Aretha: From These Roots. 

2003

Aretha Franklin, JET Magazine, EBONY Magazine, Johnson Publication
Aretha Franklin Covers a 2003 Issue of Jet Magazine. Credit: Johnson Publication/EBONY Magazine
  • Her 2003 album, So Damn Happy, earned the legend another Grammy win for the single “Wonderful.”

2007

Aretha Franklin, JET Magazine, EBONY Magazine, Johnson Publication
Aretha Franklin Covers a 2007 Issue of Jet Magazine. Credit: Johnson Publication/EBONY Magazine
  • The Queen opened up about her struggles with weight in her 2007 JET cover story.

2011

Aretha Franklin, JET Magazine, EBONY Magazine, Johnson Publication
Aretha Franklin Covers a 2011 Issue of Jet Magazine. Credit: Johnson Publication/EBONY Magazine
  • Franklin’s final JET cover found the R&B superstar reflecting on her career and preparing to enter a “new chapter” in her life.

 

Rest in peace, Aretha.