A Brief Biography Of Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Sister Rosetta Tharpe is a true pioneer of 20th century rock and roll. Early rock and roll musicians such as Little Richard, Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis have cited her as an influence in their music. She mesmerised audiences with her unique electric guitar playing styles and soulful voice. Her powerful performances left a strong message for her audiences. On 20th March 1915, in Cotton Plant, Arkansas, Rosetta Nubin was born. Her parents were cotton pickers and singers. She was specially close to her mother, Katie Bell Nubin. Her mother was a mandolin player and a passionate evangelist preacher for the Church of God in Christ (COGIC). Her mother’s strong, fearless attitude had much influence on Rosetta as “she (her mother) would take her guitar, she would take her chair, her tambourine, she would sit outside and play and try to convert them and try to get them to go to church” (Ira 5:27) Rosetta was heavily involved in the church, and gospel music became the roots of Rosetta. At a tender age of 4, Rosetta had already begun performing in COGIC as Little Rosetta Nubin with her mother, playing the guitar and singing. She was a singing and guitar playing prodigy. By age 6, Rosetta and her

She was a trailblazer, being a successful woman performer in an industry that had been triumphed by men. She performed with then-mainstream superstars like Cab Calloway. She also gained a lot of creative control as to what she wanted to sing where she didn’t have prior. She sang gospel songs in night clubs in her own upbeat way and had exposed gospel music to secular crowds. Amidst of her performance, scantily-clad women danced along with her songs. Her performances were controversial yet revolutionary. By that time, Rosetta had become the first Gospel superstar and her hits could be heard in radios everywhere. She earned a lot of money, was very well-known and many of her fans admired her