Aretha Franklin & George MichaelAretha Franklin and George Michael formed an iconic intercontinental pop partnership that produced one of the most celebrated duets of the 1980s. Franklin, the American “Queen of Soul”, and Michael, the rising British solo superstar, united in 1986. Their powerhouse collaboration, “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)”, was released in January 1987 and became a global phenomenon. It topped both the US Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart, earning them a Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance. This legendary vocal pairing beautifully bridged the gap between classic Motown-era soul and modern MTV-era pop royalty.