Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the renowned guitarist and gospel singer, was born on March 20, 1915, in Arkansas. One of the few Black women guitarists of her era, Tharpe had a unique sound that played a pivotal role in popularizing gospel music. She is hailed as the godmother of modern rock ‘n’ roll.
In 1938, Tharpe relocated to New York City, where she recorded four gospel hits with Decca Records: “Rock Me,” “That’s All,” “The Man and I,” and “The Lonesome Road,” all of which became instant successes, firmly establishing her as one of the earliest commercially successful gospel artists.
Tharpe’s career spanned over three decades, during which she continued to captivate audiences with her live performances until her passing at the age of 58 in 1973.
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