Piece of My Heart by Erma Franklin (Lyrics)

Erma Franklin was born in Shelby Mississippi in 1938, the elder sister of Aretha Franklin. Her parents Barbara and Rev. C.L. Franklin moved to Detroit where her father was pastor at New Bethel Baptist Church. Erma studied Business at Clark Atlanta University. She, Aretha and a younger sister Carolyn sang in the choir at her father's church and when Aretha started her career she sang back up on some of the latter's biggest hits and she also toured with Aretha. In 1967 Erma produced a top 10 album called Piece of My Heart. Unfortunately for Music she left the industry in 1970 apart from the occasional special appearance like a concert for Nelson Mandela in 1990. For 25 years she worked at Boystown Holy Cross Community Centre in Detroit, an organisation which helps disadvantaged homeless children. She was married and had two children. She died in 2002 at the age of 64 of cancer. RIP Erma.