Famous Gospel Singer

As a child, Franklin was noticed for her gospel singing at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, where her father C. L. Franklin was a minister. At the age of 18, she was signed as a recording artist for Columbia records. While her career did not immediately flourish, Franklin found acclaim and commercial success once she signed with Antlantic Records in 1966.

The Winans were pioneers in the field of contemporary gospel, updating the sound and style of traditional Black gospel vocal groups for the urban contemporary age. While they weren't the first group to do so, they were probably the most important one in popularizing the style, paving the way for countless urban-style gospel groups to follow -- including numerous other members of their own, confusingly large family tree.

One of contemporary gospel music's brightest and most enduring stars, Kirk Franklin emerged in the early '90s with a platinum-selling album, Kirk Franklin & the Family, that proved to be a chart-topping gospel success and a pop and R&B crossover smash as well.