Erma Vernice Franklin (March 13, 1938 – September 7, 2002) was an American soul, rhythm and blues, and pop singer. Erma and her sisters,
Aretha Franklin and
Carolyn Franklin, got their start singing for their father,
Reverend C.L. Franklin's, Detroit-area Baptist church. Erma's best known record is the original version of
Piece of My Heart. The song was covered in different arrangements by
Janis Joplin,
Faith Hill,
Beverley Knight, and
Dusty Springfield, and used as the basis of a song by
Shaggy. She was born in Shelby, Mississippi, but moved several times during her chil…
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