Sister Rosetta Tharpe, born Rosetta Nubin on March 20, 1915, in Cotton Plant, Arkansas, is a seminal figure in the genesis of rock 'n' roll, widely acclaimed for her pioneering guitar style and powerful vocals. Growing up in a musical family amid the Pentecostal Church, Tharpe's gospel roots ran deep, and as a prodigious talent, she began her ascent to stardom as a young girl, playing the guitar and singing alongside her mother at religious events. Her unique blend of spiritual lyrics and secular rhythms broke barriers, infusing the raw energy of the blues into traditional gospel music, thereby laying a cornerstone for the emergence of rock 'n' roll.

Tharpe's recordings from the 1930s and 1940s, such as "Rock Me" and "This Train," exhibit her virtuosic guitar playing, characterized by a combination of melodic riffs and rhythmic chording that would influence a generation of musicians. Despite being an African American woman in a male-dominated industry, Tharpe attained widespread popularity, including among white audiences, a rare accomplishment during an era of severe racial segregation in the United States. Her spirited performances were not only a testament to her exceptional talent but also a bold testament to the power of music as a transcendent cultural force. Remembered as "The Godmother of Rock 'n' Roll," Tharpe's legacy endures not only through her recordings but also through the countless artists she inspired, from Elvis Presley to Chuck Berry and beyond. She passed away on October 9, 1973, but remains an enduring icon, even receiving a posthumous induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.

Genres

Acoustic Blues

Gospel Blues

Traditional Blues

Related Artists

Big Mama Thornton

Memphis Minnie

Bessie Smith

Odetta

Ma Rainey

Mahalia Jackson

Lead Belly

Elizabeth Cotten

Son House

Mississippi John Hurt

Charley Patton

Blind Willie Johnson

Latest Release

Down By The Riverside (Live)

Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Single - Released April 5, 2024