In this installment of our Shero Series, I’d like to highlight an important but oft forgotten figure in the invention of Rock ‘N’ Roll. When one thinks of early Rock ‘N’ Roll, it likely brings to mind the swinging hips of Elvis, or the popcorn energy of Little Richard. However, these icons, among many other behemoths of the genre, cite Sister Rosetta Tharpe as inspiration throughout their legendary careers.
Born to a family of singers and evangelists in Arkansas in 1915, Sister Rosetta Tharpe first picked up a guitar at the age of 4. A prodigy, she began touring with her mother’s gospel group at the age of 6. She and her mother toured across the country for years, and she released her first solo records in 1938 at the age of 23. Her soaring vocals and sharp, charming delivery made her an overnight sensation.
Despite her rising stardom, she was still victim of the institutional racism of the time. The venues she performed in were segregated, so she had to sleep on buses and use the back entrance. On top of that, her tendency to blend gospel music and more secular, pop topics such as love and sexuality rattled the gospel audiences that followed her career. However, despite their protests, she continued to create, innovate, and inspire – going on to build the foundation that one can still find influence in, in the music of today.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe lived at many intersections. As a Black Queer Woman born in a segregated America, she refused to let the expectations of others, or even the very real limitations of her time, prevent her from soaring to the heights of fame and artistry. Her innovating blending of traditional blues, gospel, and the fresh energy of swing, as well as her brash and brassy charisma inspired the likes of Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash, Meat Loaf and Karen Carpenter. The wide scope of her influence led her to be dubbed the Godmother of Rock ‘N’ Roll, and rightfully so! When one looks back on her life, from her humble beginnings as a child of cotton pickers in Arkansas to a cutting edge innovator and icon, despite the many doubts and limitations placed on her…what could be more Rock ‘N’ Roll than that?
HBICHQ strives to uplift the voices of female identified people who are leaders in their lives and in their communities. Our volunteer journalists share stories from our collective HER-STORY, keeping the memory and the inspiration alive. We believe that all women are rock stars.
