Which label did Aretha Franklin sign with in 1980 after leaving Atlantic?

After leaving Atlantic Records, Aretha Franklin signed with Arista Records in 1980. The agreement paired her with label founder and executive Clive Davis, who helped guide the next major phase of her career.

Franklin’s first Arista album was Aretha, released in September 1980. It included “United Together,” which reached number three on the U.S. R&B chart. The album followed a long and highly successful Atlantic period that had produced defining recordings such as “Respect,” “Chain of Fools,” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.”

The label change is sometimes confused with Franklin’s earlier move from Columbia to Atlantic. Columbia launched her recording career, Atlantic established her as a soul superstar, and Arista became the home of her later revival. Arista subsequently released albums including Jump to It, Who’s Zoomin’ Who?, and A Rose Is Still a Rose.