Erma Franklin: The Soulful Voice Behind Piece of My Heart
When people think of the song “Piece of My Heart,” most remember Janis Joplin’s electrifying 1968 cover. But long before Joplin screamed it into rock immortality, it was Erma Franklin — the older sister of Aretha Franklin — who gave the world the original. With her powerful yet refined gospel-trained voice, Erma Franklin laid the foundation for a track that would become one of the most covered soul anthems of all time. Beyond that one hit, however, she lived a remarkable life as a gospel and soul singer, a family woman, and later a dedicated community worker.
This article explores the legacy of “erma franklin piece of my heart,” her other notable recordings, her family ties to the legendary Franklin household, and the circumstances of her passing — ensuring Erma Franklin is remembered as more than “Aretha’s sister.”
Early Life and Gospel Roots
Erma Vernice Franklin was born on March 13, 1938, in Shelby, Mississippi. She was the eldest daughter of Rev. C. L. Franklin — a famous Baptist minister and civil rights activist — and Barbara Siggers Franklin, a church pianist and vocalist. Raised in a deeply religious household, Erma began singing gospel at her father’s New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, alongside her younger sisters, Aretha Franklin and Carolyn Franklin.
From an early age, Erma displayed a natural gift for harmonies and phrasing, shaped by the fiery sermons of her father and the soulful piano of her mother. This foundation would stay with her throughout her life, even when she stepped into secular music.
The Breakthrough: “Piece of My Heart”
In 1967, Erma Franklin recorded the Jerry Ragovoy and Bert Berns composition “Piece of My Heart.” Released on Shout Records, the single soared to No. 10 on the Billboard R&B chart and earned her a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.
Her version is raw, emotional, and deeply rooted in gospel — yet more restrained than the blues-rock explosion that Janis Joplin would deliver just one year later. While Joplin’s rendition became the definitive version for mainstream audiences, it was Erma Franklin who first gave life to the song.
Today, many music historians argue that Franklin’s original offers a more authentic glimpse into the heart of 1960s soul music. For those who search specifically for “erma franklin piece of my heart,” they often discover that the iconic track began not on a San Francisco stage, but in Detroit with a preacher’s daughter.
Erma Franklin Songs: Beyond the Hit
Although “Piece of My Heart” remains her best-known work, Erma Franklin recorded a variety of other soulful tracks that highlight her versatility:
- “Son of a Preacher Man” – Recorded around the late 1960s, Franklin gave her own rendition of this Dusty Springfield classic. It highlighted her gospel roots and her ability to bring authenticity to storytelling in song. The phrase “Erma Franklin Son of a Preacher Man” continues to pop up in discussions of rare soul covers.
- “Saving My Love for You” – Another track often linked with Franklin’s repertoire. Fans of vintage soul compilations will find “erma franklin saving my love for you” circulating on playlists. Its tender yet firm delivery shows Franklin’s talent for romantic ballads.
- Other notable recordings – “Gotta Find Me a Lover (24 Hours a Day),” “Big Boss Man,” and her Soul Sister LP (1969) showcase her ability to handle blues, R&B, and gospel-tinged tracks with equal strength.
Although her discography is smaller than that of her sister Aretha, Erma Franklin’s catalog is beloved among soul collectors and remains influential to modern artists.
Erma Franklin’s Family Ties
No biography of Erma Franklin is complete without acknowledging the remarkable Franklin family, a household that shaped the sound of American soul.
Siblings: Erma was the elder sister of the legendary Aretha Franklin and the talented songwriter/singer Carolyn Franklin, who co-wrote hits such as “Ain’t No Way.” Other siblings included Carl Ellan Kelley, Vaughn Franklin, and Rev. Cecil Franklin. The bond between the Franklin sisters was particularly strong — Erma and Carolyn often provided background vocals for Aretha’s most iconic recordings.
Spouse: Erma Franklin married Thomas Garrett, a steady partner who stood outside the glare of the entertainment spotlight.
Children: Together they raised two children — Thomas Garrett Jr. and Sabrina Garrett. For Erma, family was always more important than fame. Even after her recording career slowed, she continued to nurture her children and stay connected with her extended Franklin clan.
The constant presence of music, ministry, and family responsibilities shaped Erma Franklin into both a strong woman and a soulful performer.
Later Career and Community Work
While Aretha’s career skyrocketed into international superstardom, Erma Franklin chose a quieter path after the 1970s. She continued to sing background vocals for Aretha and occasionally performed, but she also dedicated much of her later life to community service.
She worked for Boysville of Michigan (later Holy Cross Children’s Services), an organization that supported at-risk youth. For decades, she helped countless young people find stability and hope, living her gospel values outside the recording studio. This second career gave her a sense of fulfillment and reminded those who knew her that her talents extended beyond the stage.
Erma Franklin Died: Cause and Legacy
On September 7, 2002, Erma Franklin died in Detroit, Michigan, at the age of 64. The official Erma Franklin cause of death was cancer. Obituaries from the Los Angeles Times and other outlets reported that she had been battling the illness quietly before passing away surrounded by loved ones.
Her death was a significant loss not only to her family — including her world-famous sister Aretha — but also to the Detroit community she had served for years. Though she never sought the spotlight in the same way as Aretha, Erma Franklin’s contributions to gospel, soul, and humanitarian work remain deeply respected.
Remembering Erma Franklin
Today, the name Erma Franklin is most often associated with her siblings, particularly Aretha, or with the single “Piece of My Heart.” Yet her legacy is much richer. She was a pioneering woman in R&B, a mother devoted to her children Sabrina Garrett and Thomas Garrett Jr., a loving spouse to Thomas Garrett, and a community leader who gave back to the city that raised her.
While Carolyn Franklin added brilliance as a songwriter and Aretha became the “Queen of Soul,” Erma provided a quieter but equally important voice in the Franklin legacy. To rediscover her work — from “Son of a Preacher Man” to “Saving My Love for You” — is to reconnect with the roots of soul music itself.
For readers who want to explore deeper stories like this, my blog Sinuly Celebrities will continue to share long-form biographies and untold histories of cultural icons.
