C. L. Franklin

Clarence LaVaughn Franklin, often known as Bishop C. L. Franklin or The Reverend C. L. Franklin (January 22, 1915 – July 27, 1984), was an African-American Baptist preacher, a civil rights activist, and father of R&B/Soul and Gospel singer Aretha Franklin. Known as the man with the "Million-Dollar Voice", he served as the pastor of New Bethel Baptist Church in Detroit, Michigan, from 1946 to 1979.