1960 a relatively unknown 18 year old gospel and R&B singer signed a contract with Columbia Records. Managed by her father and coached by Sam Cooke Aretha released her 1st recording for Columbia; Today I Sing the Blues reaching #10 on the Hot R&B Sellers chart.

Dinah Washington told Quincy Jones in 1958 that Aretha was the next big one.
Dinah sure did get that right.