Ted White

Life and career White was born in Pensacola, Florida, on March 25, 1931. He was described in 1968 as a dabbler in Detroit real estate and wheeler-dealer. White had actually seen Franklin the first time at a party held at her house in 1954. After a few weeks of dating, they were married by a justice of the peace while touring Ohio in 1961, when Franklin was 19 and White was 30. Franklin's father, C.L. Franklin, opposed the union. White was described as a pimp by Motown producer Harvey Fuqua. White was abusive during their marriage, having abused Franklin publicly at Atlanta's Regency Hyatt House Hotel. Gospel singer Mahalia Jackson said the Regency incident was not the first in which White was violent toward Franklin. In December 1969, White shot Charles Cook, younger brother of musician Sam Cooke, in the groin at Franklin's Detroit home during Cook's visit with Franklin. White and Franklin's divorce was finalized in 1969. He spent holidays and weekends with his mother in Detroit. He played guitar for his mother before becoming a singer-songwriter, under the name Teddy Richards.

Songwriting credits 1963: Aretha Franklin – "I Wonder (Where You Are Tonight)" 1964: Aretha Franklin – "Lee Cross" 1967: Aretha Franklin – "Dr. Feelgood" 1967: Aretha Franklin – "Don't Let Me Lose This Dream" 1968: Aretha Franklin – "Think" 1968: Aretha Franklin – "Good To Me As I Am To You" 1968: Aretha Franklin – "(Sweet Sweet Baby) Since You've Been Gone"