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.