Sister Rosetta Tharpe (March 20, 1915 - October 9, 1973) is considered the godmother of Rock´n´Roll. She was popular in the 1930s and 1940s and was the first gospel musicians to appeal to Rhythm & Blues and Rock´n´Roll audiences. She was groundbreaking and a big influence to artists like Little Richard, Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry, Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis. She broke through the barriers of racism, homophobia and sexism to become one of the most influential artists in music history.
She began performing onstage with her mother from the age of four, playing the guitar and singing. By age six, and billed as a "singing and guitar playing miracle," Rosetta Tharpe accompanied her mother in hybrid performances part sermon, part gospel concert before audiences all across the American South.
In 1938, Tharpe moved to New York City, where she signed with Decca Records and recorded the first four gospel songs ever recorded on the label: "Rock Me," "That's All," "The Man and I" and "The Lonesome Road."
During the early 1940s, Tharpe continued to mix gospel music with more secular sounds. She recorded such hits as "Shout Sister Shout," "I Want a Tall Skinny Papa" and "That's All" which was the first record on which Tharpe played the electric guitar.
During the early 1940s, Tharpe continued to mix gospel music with more secular sounds. She recorded such hits as "Shout Sister Shout," "I Want a Tall Skinny Papa" and "That's All" which was the first record on which Tharpe played the electric guitar.
