sister rosetta tharpe

Sister Rosetta Tharpe aka the Godmother of Rock n Roll’s story is one that I’ve always found intriguing. Her works reshaped how guitarists play, introducing innovative ways to distort the sound of an electric guitar. Though she endured judgement from the church for playing Gospel music in venues like nightclubs where secular music was played, her efforts are what made Gospel music go mainstream for the first time. Her contributions to music earned her a place in the Blues Hall of Fame, Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as well as The National Recording Registry. Sometimes while driving past the Altria Theater I imagine what it would’ve been like to watch her play there.