Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin, the "Queen of Soul," earns #2 with a legacy that rivals any artist. She won 18 Grammy Awards and became the first woman inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987. Her song "Respect" became a civil rights anthem, selling over 1 million copies. Franklin's Gospel-influenced artistry set a benchmark that is slower than the typical pop singer but richer in emotional depth. While she sold fewer records than the #1 Whitney Houston, her 112 charting singles on Billboard Hot 100 surpass many peers, reflecting 50 years of influence.