<P> After turning 18 , Franklin confided to her father that she aspired to follow Sam Cooke to record pop music . Serving as her manager , C.L. agreed to the move and helped to produce a two - song demo that soon was brought to the attention of Columbia Records , who agreed to sign her in 1960 . Franklin was signed as a `` five - percent artist '' . During this period , Franklin would be coached by choreographer Cholly Atkins to prepare for her pop performances . Before signing with Columbia , Sam Cooke tried to persuade Franklin 's father to have his label , RCA sign Franklin . He had also been courted by local record label owner Berry Gordy to sign Franklin and her elder sister Erma to his Tamla label . Franklin 's father felt the label was not established enough yet . Franklin 's first Columbia single , `` Today I Sing the Blues '' , was issued in September 1960 and later reached the top ten of the Hot Rhythm & Blues Sellers chart . </P>
<P> After turning 18 , Franklin confided to her father that she aspired to follow Sam Cooke to record pop music . Serving as her manager , C.L. agreed to the move and helped to produce a two - song demo that soon was brought to the attention of Columbia Records , who agreed to sign her in 1960 . Franklin was signed as a `` five - percent artist '' . During this period , Franklin would be coached by choreographer Cholly Atkins to prepare for her pop performances . Before signing with Columbia , Sam Cooke tried to persuade Franklin 's father to have his label , RCA sign Franklin . He had also been courted by local record label owner Berry Gordy to sign Franklin and her elder sister Erma to his Tamla label . Franklin 's father felt the label was not established enough yet . Franklin 's first Columbia single , `` Today I Sing the Blues '' , was issued in September 1960 and later reached the top ten of the Hot Rhythm & Blues Sellers chart . </P>
aretha franklin 's first record contract was with which label
aretha franklin 's first record contract was with which label
Columbia Records
Columbia Records