Carolyn Ann Franklin (May 13, 1944 – April 25, 1988) was an American singer–songwriter.
A native of Memphis, Tennessee, she was the younger sister of Erma Franklin, Aretha Franklin, and the daughter of the Reverend C.L. Franklin. A talented singer and songwriter she wrote both ![]()
music for her and her sisters, as well as singing backup for them. At a young age Franklin became interested in music through her father's church, and she began to play the piano and sing.
music for her and her sisters, as well as singing backup for them. At a young age Franklin became interested in music through her father's church, and she began to play the piano and sing. The family moved to Buffalo, New York, and then finally to Detroit, Michigan, where she grew up with her brother and sisters. In 1963 and 1964 she got a break when she cut some demos in the style of late night super club for singer Lloyd Price's Double L Record Label. The demos were released in 1970 on the album, "The First Time I Cried." Franklin then released her album, "Baby Dynamite" (1969), and "Chain Reaction" (1970). The albums didn't become huge successes for Franklin, but the album did have the minor hits 'It's True I'm Gonna Miss You,' and 'All I Want To Be Is Your Woman.' In 1973, she released her next album, "I'd Rather Be Lonely," and her final album, "If You Want Me," in 1976.
During the next few years she wrote more songs for her sister Aretha including, As Long As You Are There, ''Save Me,''Ain't No Way,' and 'I Was Made For You.' In the 1980s, she continued her music career, she appeared in the film, "The Blues
Brothers" (1980), helped her sister Aretha on her second album,
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"One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, in 1987, recorded for her Family at the New Bethel Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee, and appeared as a background vocalist on British singer Paul King's 1987 album, 'Joy.'
Brothers" (1980), helped her sister Aretha on her second album,
In early 1988, while working at getting her B.A. in music from the Marygrove College (which she did shortly before her death) she was diagnosed with cancer. Carolyn died of breast cancer at Aretha's Scenic Court home in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, on April 25, 1988, at the age of 43. Like other deceased family members she is interred at Detroit's historic Woodlawn Cemetery on North Woodward Avenue. (Info edited from Wikipedia & findagrave,com)