Happy Birthday Sister Rosetta Tharpe! (March 20, 1915)
Hi, WA Friends!
Let's celebrate the birthday of one of the most famous female American songwriters, singers, and guitar players, the one and only Sister Rosetta Tharpe! She is often called the "Godmother of Rock and Roll!"
Tharpe was also an important figure in the civil rights movement, breaking down barriers as a black woman in the male-dominated music industry!
The Music!ο»Ώ
Her unique blend of Gospel, Blues, and Jazz would go on to influence many of the biggest names in Rock and Roll, including Elvis Presley, Little Richard, and Chuck Berry!
She performed with the great Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway, to name a few!
The Instruments!
In addition to playing acoustic guitars made by Harmony and Martin, Sister Rosetta Tharpe was one of the very first female players to introduce electric instruments into the music of her time!
She was often seen onstage playing and recording with a Gibson SG and Les Paul Guitar! She created many of the electric guitar riffs that supercharged Blues and Rock and Roll!
The Video!
Check out this music video of her playing "Didn't It Rain?" from 1964! She first recorded it back in 1947 with Marie Knight and the Sam Price Trio!
The first time I saw this video on YouTube, it melted my brain! Amazing Gospel-Jazz playing! NObody else was doing this back then! That Gibson SG guitar looks surreal against the backdrop of the video!
"Didn't It Rain" Video
The Awards!
Sister Rosetta Tharpe was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2018, more than 40 years after her death.
She is also in the Gospel Music Association's Hall of Fame, the Blues Hall of Fame, and the National Women's Hall of Fame.
The Albums! (discography)
This is ALL essential listening, but if you have to go with just one, check out "Gospel Train!"
- Gospel Songs (Decca, 1947)
- Blessed Assurance (Decca, 1951)
- Gospel Train (Mercury, 1956)
- The Gospel Truth (Mercury, 1959)
- Sister Rosetta Tharpe (MGM, 1960)
- Spirituals in Rhythm (Promenade, 1960)
- Sister on Tour (Verve, 1961)
- The Gospel Truth (Verve, 1962)
- Precious Memories (Savoy, 1968)
- Gospel Keepsakes (MCA, 1983)
- Live in 1960 (Southland, 1991)
- Live at the Hot Club de France (BMG/Milan, 1991)
Fun Fact
Did you know that the woman playing guitar and singing in the movie "Death On The Nile" is supposed to be Sister Rosetta Tharpe? The movie soundtrack features a number of her songs from Tharpe, including "Up Above My Head" and "Rock Me."
Check out Death On The Nile if you haven't seen it. It's the second movie of the new Hercule Poirot series, and they're both excellent!
Happy Birthday, Sister Rosetta Tharpe! π
Rock On! π€
ο»ΏFrank ππΈ
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Recent Comments
55
Yeah, itβs crazy, Rudy!
I love the Jazz influence she brought into that tune! πππ
That Gibson βLes Paul SGβ guitar (before Les rejected the design and it was renamed SG) in that video has to be worth close to or over one million dollars!
Frank πΈ
This was great to learn, Frank! Thanks so much for sharing that video, too. Love this music. She's amazing!
Rock On! πΈπ
Susan π€
Haha, Youβre welcome, Susan!
Amazing barely covers it! ππ
Check out some of her other tunes when you get a chance.
Frank πΈ
All right now! You brought a big smile to my face, Frank. My daughter has a game called Say It Loud. It encompasses music as one of the categories and sister Rosetta Tharpe is one of the artists in it. I also know about her from the gospel aspect. Thank you for this very fun read!
Hazel
Hi, Hazel
That's excellent!
Now, your homework assignment is to check out more of her music! It's beyond fabulous! ππΆ
Frank πΈ
Will do. I intend to get an A on my assignment. lol! I am familiar with the song, Didnβt It Rain? I will play this one first. This is fun. Thanks Frank.
Happy Birthday, Rosetta Tharpe! I had never even heard of her before until your post, Frank! The video was astounding!
Jeffππ€πΈ
Hi, Jeff
Yes, the video is mind-blowing compared to what was being done at the time! π
I'm so glad you liked it! π
Rock On! π€
Frank πΈ
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Happy birthday Sister Tharpe. Awsome!
Thanks for reading, Cheryl! π π