Date of Birth: March 20, 1915
Zodiac Sign: Pisces
Date of Death: October 9, 1973
Biography
Sister Rosetta Tharpe, born Rosetta Nubin, was an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, and recording artist, who attained popularity in the 1930s and 1940s with her gospel recordings, characterized by a unique mixture of spiritual lyrics and rhythmic accompaniment that was a precursor to rock and roll. Born on March 20, 1915, in Cotton Plant, Arkansas, Tharpe was exposed to music at an early age through her mother, Katie Bell Nubin, a singer, mandolin player, and evangelist for the Church of God in Christ (COGIC). Tharpe began performing as “Little Rosetta Nubin” when she was just four years old, and she impressed audiences with her talent and charisma. Moving to Chicago with her mother, Tharpe continued to develop her musical skills, eventually recording her first hit, “Rock Me,” in 1938. Her unique style, which blended gospel music with electric guitar and blues, earned her widespread acclaim and a devoted following. Tharpe’s influence extended beyond gospel music, as she became a key figure in the development of early rock and roll, inspiring legends such as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Chuck Berry. Tharpe’s career spanned several decades, during which she recorded numerous albums and performed at some of the most prestigious venues in the world. She passed away on October 9, 1973, but her legacy as a pioneering force in American music endures.
5 Interesting Facts about Sister Rosetta Tharpe
1. Sister Rosetta Tharpe was one of the first artists to use heavy distortion on her electric guitar, a technique that influenced the sound of rock and roll.
2. In 1944, her song “Strange Things Happening Every Day” became the first gospel record to make Billboard’s Harlem Hit Parade (precursor to the R&B chart), reaching number two.
3. Tharpe was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an Early Influence in 2018.
4. She performed her hit song “Up Above My Head” with Marie Knight, a collaboration that became one of the most famous duets in gospel music history.
5. Tharpe is often referred to as “The Godmother of Rock and Roll” due to her profound impact on the genre and its artists.
5 Most Interesting Quotes from Sister Rosetta Tharpe
1. “Oh, these kids and rock and roll — this is just sped up rhythm and blues. I’ve been doing that forever.”
2. “Everybody’s worried about the world ending today and I’m just trying to get some laundry done.”
3. “Can’t no man play like me. I play better than a man.”
4. “Ain’t no grave holding my body down.”
5. “I brought a little church to the nightclub.”
Highest Net Worth Achieved
During her lifetime, Sister Rosetta Tharpe achieved a net worth estimated to be around $500,000, a significant amount for a musician of her era.
Children
Sister Rosetta Tharpe did not have any children.
Relevant Links
4. [Biography.com – Sister Rosetta Tharpe](https://www.biography.com/musician/sister-rosetta-tharpe
