Franklin releases her first album for Columbia Records, marking the start of her secular recording career.
February 1, 1961, marked the release of Aretha Franklin's first album with Columbia Records, Aretha: With The Ray Bryant Combo. This album represented her significant transition from gospel to a broader array of genres, including pop and jazz. It featured a mix of standards and new material that exhibited her versatility and vocal sophistication outside the gospel tradition, introducing her to a wider audience. This release played a crucial role in establishing Franklin as a formidable force in the music industry, setting the stage for her later successes at Atlantic Records.