Best Black Female Singers Who are in Their 70s as of 2016

The Top Ten
1 Aretha Franklin Aretha Louise Franklin (March 25, 1942 - August 16, 2018) was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. She began her career as a child singing gospel at New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, where her father, C. L. Franklin, was minister. Referred to as the "Queen of Soul", she has twice been placed ninth in Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". With global sales of over 75 million records, Franklin is one of the best-selling music artists from the second half of the 20th century to the present.

There are at least 100 lists here at TTT that have Ariana Grande and Miley Cyrus listed above Aretha Franklin.

Ha-Ha, I bet there are more than 50 lists with Demi Lovato ahead of Aretha too.

A shame that most TTT voters have no idea who any of the these amazing ladies are, or that they think Beyoncé, Rihanna, etc are remotely in their league.

2 Tina Turner Tina Turner, née Anna Mae Bullock, was a singer, dancer, actress and author, whose career spanned more than half a century, earning her widespread recognition and numerous awards.
3 Etta James Etta James was an American singer who spanned a variety of music genres including blues, R&B, soul, rock and roll, jazz and gospel.
4 Diana Ross Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, actress, and record producer. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Ross rose to fame as the lead singer of the vocal group the Supremes.
5 Patti Labelle Patricia Louise Holt-Edwards better known under the stage name Patti LaBelle, is an American singer, author, actress, and entrepreneur.

I think Patti LaBelle should be number one.

6 Gladys Knight Gladys Maria Knight, known as the "Empress of Soul", is an American singer, songwriter, actress, businesswoman, humanitarian and author.
7 Donna Summer Ladonna Adrian Gaines (31 December 1948 - 17 May 2012) was known by her stage name, Donna Summer. She was an American singer, songwriter, and painter.

Passed away at age 63 back in 2012, but even if she was alive today, she would not be in her 70's. Should not be on this list despite her greatness.

8 Dionne Warwick Marie Dionne Warrick is an American singer, actress and TV-show host, who became a United Nations Global Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization, and a United States Ambassador of Health.
9 Natalie Cole Natalie Maria Cole was an American singer, voice actress, songwriter, and actress. The daughter of the great American singer Nat King Cole, she rose to musical success in the mid-1970s as an R&B artist.

Sadly passed away in 2015 at age 65, but would not be in her 70's regardless. RIP.

10 Shirley Bassey Dame Shirley Veronica Bassey is a Welsh singer whose career began in the mid-1950s, best known both for her powerful voice and for recording the theme songs to the James Bond films Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever, and Moonraker.
The Contenders
11 Shirley Caesar
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