Aretha Franklin’s “Respect” is widely regarded as an anthem of the civil rights movement, in which the iconic soul singer, who has died aged 76, was herself an important figure.

Her friend Jesse Jackson recently revealed to Franklin’s home-town newspaper that the performer had quietly helped fund the movement for many years.

“When Dr King was alive, several times she helped us make payroll,” he told the Detroit Free Press. “On one occasion, we took an 11-city tour with her as Aretha Franklin and Harry Belafonte... And they put gas in the vans. She did 11 concerts for free and hosted us at her home and did a fundraiser for my campaign. Aretha has always been a very socially conscious artist, an inspiration, not just an entertainer.”

Franklin’s father, CL Franklin, was a Baptist minister and close associate of Martin Luther King Jr. He organised the 1963 Detroit Walk to Freedom, a civil rights demonstration that drew some 125,000 people and presaged the March on Washington later that year.

His daughter reportedly had it written into her contract during the 1960s that she would not perform to segregated audiences.

And Franklin’s activism could also be as assertive as the lyrics to her most famous hit.

In 1970 she offered to post bail for Angela Davis, a philosophy teacher, communist and social activist accused of supplying guns used in a botched, bloody courtroom escape attempt in California.

Davis went on the run but was eventually arrested in New York City following an FBI manhunt. Then-president Richard Nixon called her a “dangerous terrorist”, but she was acquitted in 1972 and went on to continue her academic career and activism.

Franklin was quoted in Jet magazine as saying she was ready to post the cost of Davis’ bail “whether it’s $100,000 or $250,000”, amid a widespread campaign for her release.

Aretha Franklin – career in pictures Show all 50 1 /50 Aretha Franklin – career in pictures Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1968 Aretha Franklin was born in 1942 and went on to earn the title ‘The Queen of Soul’ for her services to music since the late 60s Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1968 Aretha Franklin performs onstage in 1968 Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1969 Aretha Franklin on the Andy Williams Show NBC/Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1967 She signed to Atlantic Records in 1967 Rex Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1968 Franklin achieved huge success with songs including “Spanish Harlem”, "I Say a Little Prayer" and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1974 She first sang as part of a gospel at a Detroit church where her father, C.L, was the pastor before embarking upon a full-time career in 1960 Rex Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1977 Portrait of American soul singer Aretha Franklin Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1977 She won 18 Grammys Rex Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1980 Aretha Franklin has sold over 75m records worldwide Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1981 George Benson and Aretha Franklin at the Greek Theatre Rex Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1986 Aretha Franklin Showtime TV Special. In 1987, Franklin became the first woman to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Rex Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1992 American music executive Clive Davis and Aretha Franklin attend an event together Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1993 Aretha Franklin, Michael Jackson and Diana Ross perform at the Inaugural Gala for President Bill Clinton Rex Features Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1994 US actor Kirk Douglas applauds singer Aretha Franklin at a reception for the Kennedy Center Honors, which recognised American performance artists who have made lifetime contributions to American culture AFP/Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1997 Aretha Franklin singing during the inaugural gala dedicated to US President Bill Clinton in Landover AFP/Getty Images Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1998 Aretha Franklin had a cameo appearance in cult classic 'The Blues Brothers 2000' Rex Features Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1998 Aretha Franklin poses with the Blues Brothers John Goodman, left, J.Evan Bonifant, second left, Joe Morton, second right, and Dan Aykroyd, right, after performing at the 40th Grammy Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York AFP/Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1998 Opera singer Luciano Pavarotti laughs along with singer Aretha Franklin and the group Boyz II Men after accepting the eighth MusiCares Foundation "Person of the Year" award in New York AFP/Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 1999 US President Bill Clinton along with First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton award singer Aretha Franklin with the 1999 National Medal of Arts and Humanities Award AFP/Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2001 Aretha Franklin with show host and producer Don Cornelius Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2001 Aretha Franklin performs at the conclusion of the Lane Bryant Spring/Summer 2001 Lingerie Show at Studio 54 AFP/Getty Images Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2001 Aretha Franklin onstage performing at 'VH1 Divas Live: The One and Only Aretha Franklin' Getty Images Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2002 Torchbearer Aretha Franklin carries the Olympic Flame during the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Torch Relay in Detroit Getty Images Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2003 Carly Simon, Alicia Keys and Aretha Franklin perform on stage during Clive Davis' pre-Grammy Gala Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2005 Aretha Franklin and actor Hugh Jackman perform onstage at the 59th Annual Tony Awards Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2005 Aretha Franklin is presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civil award, by President George Bush at the White House Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2005 Aretha Franklin (L) and Stevie Wonder onstage at the 10th Annual Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2006 Aretha Franlkin and Aaron Neville perform the National Anthem prior to the start of Super Bowl XL between the Seattle Seahawks and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2006 Aretha Franklin appears at Berklee College of Music commencement in Boston along with singer Melissa Etheridge, who both received honorary degrees for their achievements in music Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2007 Aretha Franklin performs onstage at the 22nd annual Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony in New York Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2008 Aretha Franklin arrives at the 2008 MusiCares person of the year, which was honoring herself Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2008 Aretha Franklin accepts the Vanguard Award onstage during the 39th NAACP Image Awards in Los Angeles Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2009 Aretha Franklin and Josh Groban perform during the Mandela Day Celebration Concert in New York City. Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2009 Aretha Franklin performs onstage at the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2010 Aretha Franklin and Ron Isley perform with the Philadelphia Orchestra at the Mann Center for Performing Arts Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2010 Comedian Jamie Foxx leads singer Aretha Franklin to the stage as she is inducted into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2011 US President Barack Obama kisses Aretha Franklin as First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Jill Biden and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar applaud after Franklin performed at the dedication of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial in Washington AFP/Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2011 Aretha Franklin and Tony Bennett perform onstage Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2011 Aretha Franklin and Oprah Winfrey during the taping of the second to last Oprah Winfrey Show at the United Center in Chicago AFP/Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2011 Aretha Franklin performs to a SRO audience at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2012 Aretha Franklin and William Wilkerson attend the BET Honors 2012 Pre-Honors dinner at the Corcoran Gallery of Art Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2012 Aretha Franklin performs during the BET Honors 2012 at the Warner Theatre Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2012 Aretha Franklin performs onstage at the 10th Annual TV Land Awards at the Lexington Avenue Armory Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2013 Aretha Franklin performs during the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on the Ellipse near the White House in Washington AFP/Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2014 Reverend Al Sharpton and Aretha Franklin attend his 60th birthday celebration at the Four Seasons Restaurant Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2015 US President Barack Obama and outgoing Attorney General Eric Holder listen to singer Aretha Franklin at the Justice Department in Washington. The event marked Holder's anticipated departure after more than six years of service. AFP/Getty Images Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2015 Pope Francis looks on as Aretha Franklin performs during the Festival of Families Getty Images Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2016 Detroit native Aretha Franklin sings the National Anthem prior to the start of the Detroit Lions and the Minnesota Vikings game Getty Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2017 Aretha Franklin performs during the "Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives" Premiere Concert Getty/Tribeca Film Festival Aretha Franklin – career in pictures 2017 Aretha Franklin performs onstage at the Elton John AIDS Foundation Commemorates its 25th year Getty

“Black people will be free. I’ve been locked up (for disturbing the peace in Detroit) and I know you got to disturb the peace when you can’t get no peace,” she said.

“Jail is hell to be in. I’m going to see her free if there is any justice in our courts, not because I believe in communism but because she’s a black woman and she wants freedom for black people.

“I have the money. I got it from black people – they’ve made me financially able to have it – and I want to use it in ways that will help our people.”