Sister Rosetta Tharpe, is among the best female guitarists, was the first artist who uses deformed tones to the gospel, a music form that later was adopted by many blues and rock artists.
She reinforced the rise of electric blues by being one of the first popular recording artists who use heavy electric guitar distortion. Her technique contributed in the development of British blues in the 1960s.
Like Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck and Keith Richards said they were influenced by her way of playing when they watched her in 1963 in Manchester during her European tour with Muddy Waters.
Her music was a blend by a unique mixture of spiritual lyrics and rhythmic sounds, which for many is considered as a precursor of modern Rock N Roll.
Because of her record-breaking success with gospel melodies, she achieved to attract both rhythmic n’ blues and rock n roll fans and she was named “The Original Soul Sister” and “Godmother of rock and roll”.
Her unique music has affected many gospel artists over the years, such as Ira Tucker Sr., by Dixie Hummingbirds.
She recorded some of the most “fluid” audio albums. In the recording of “Strange Things Happening Every Day” she plays between Rock N Roll, Country, Jazz, and Gospel, in order to experiment over the sound.
Although she tried to do little of pop music, she never actually give up gospel.
Several Rock N Roll artists -as they confessed in the past- have been inspired by Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s work, such as:
- Little Richard,
- Johnny Cash,
- Carl Perkins,
- Chuck Berry,
- Elvis Presley και
- Jerry Lee Lewis.
On October 31, 1938, at the age of 23, Tharpe recorded for her first album for Decca Records in four sides, supported by Lucky Millinder‘s jazz orchestra.
Discography
- The Lonesome Road, Decca 224 (1941)
- Blessed Assurance (1951)
- Wedding Ceremony of Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Russell Morrison, Decca DA-903 (1951)
- Gospel Train (1956)
- Famous Negro Spirituals and Gospel Songs (1957)
- Sister Rosetta Tharpe, MGM E3821 (1959)
- Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Omega OSL31 (1960)
- Gospels in Rhythm (1960)
- Live in 1960 (1960)
- The Gospel Truth with the Sally Jenkins Singers (1961)
- Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Crown LP5236 (1961)
- Sister on Tour (1962)
- Live in Paris (1964)
- Live at the Hot Club de France (1966)
- Negro Gospel Sister Rosetta Tharpe and the Hot Gospel Tabernacle Choir and Players (1967)
- Precious Memories, Savoy 14214 (1968)
- Singing in My Soul, Savoy 14224 (1969)
Πηγές: Gospel History, Wikipedia, Rock N Roll History, Jazz History, Blues History