BHS Day 2: Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Hi! Every Saturday this month is to honor Black pioneers in the music and entertainment industries. We're going to kick things off today with someone whose name I've come across so many times while researching the time period she was a part of that it would be an insult to pick someone else. lol People who know their music know who this person is, but when I hear Black greats of yesteryear being discussed, I don't hear this name too much, if at all. It was important to me when I started Black History Spotlight to find those hidden gems that have fallen victim to history and give them a moment in the spotlight. Today's entrant did a lot for early rock 'n roll, but her name is often left out of those important discussions. 

Source

Name: Sister Rosetta Tharpe, 1915-1974

Profession: Musician

Why is the Spotlight on her today? For her contributions to the music industry and her widespread inspiration of some of music's greatest talents

Notables and accolades:
--Is largely regarded in the music industry as the "Godmother of Rock 'n' Roll" and credited with laying the foundations of the sound we now know as rock  
--Was the first gospel crossover star and found success in both avenues
--Was finally posthumously inducted into the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame last May
--Was the first gospel musician to sign an official recording contract
--Was dubbed both controversial and revolutionary, respectively, by the religious and secular crowds due to the blend of gospel and secular elements in her songs
--Is credited for pioneering the usage of the electric guitar during her performances
--Toured extensively throughout Europe during the latter part of her career, making her the first Black gospel singer to do so
--Is the reason Little Richard decided to become a performer after she put him on stage with her
--Despite her religious affiliations, was queer and even toured with one of her female lovers, another singer, in a revolutionary act for the times
--Was the first gospel singer to play at the all-white Cotton Club, where she played regularly with Cab Calloway
--Was the posthumous subject of the New York Times Book Review Editor's Pick biography Shout, Sister, Shout!
--Is named as a large influence and source of inspiration by and for Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles, and Little Richard to name a few
--Billed her third wedding as a "wedding concert," which was held at Griffith Stadium and attended by 20,000+ fans who watched her ceremony and musical performance
--Hired the Jordanaires, an all-white group, to back her performances while they played to mixed race audiences; they later played for Elvis Presley, who was noted to be one of Sister Rosetta's biggest fans
--Has a song officially registered in the Library of Congress' National Recording Registry
--Is likely the performer to pioneer the 'windmill' technique while playing, which was erroneously credited to Pete Townshend or Keith Richards
--Was one of only two Black gospel musicians to be asked to record victory discs for troops stationed overseas during World War II
Further reading links: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

While I was doing my research, I listened to what is now considered an iconic performance from Sister Rosetta Tharpe as she performed for a crowd in a nationally televised performance at an abandoned railroad station. The day was windy, rainy and cold and yet there Sister Rosetta was, performing with an electric guitar like the day is clear and sunny. Her energy is electric and contagious in this video. Her voice was clear, booming and beautiful and because I'm an idiot who is sensitive to things like that, it brought tears to my eyes. LOL Have a listen. 

If you're interested in hearing more of Sister Rosetta's music, here's a recommended playlist from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame themselves:

Quotes of the Day: 
"All this new stuff they call rock 'n' roll, why, I've been playing that for years now...Ninety percent of rock-and-roll artists come out of the church, their foundation is in the church."
--Sister Rosetta Tharpe
"She would sing until you cried and then she would sing until you danced for joy. She helped to keep the church alive and the saints rejoicing."
--The epitaph on Sister Rosetta Tharpe's headstone