Birthdate: March 20, 1915
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Cotton Plant, Arkansas, United States
Died: October 9, 1973
Sister Rosetta Tharpe was a pioneering American singer, songwriter, and guitarist who gained fame in the 1930s and 1940s for her unique fusion of gospel music and electric guitar. She was among the first in gospel music to attract rhythm and blues and rock and roll audiences. Tharpe’s innovative guitar techniques, including heavy distortion, greatly influenced the development of electric blues and British blues in the 1960s. She challenged the divide between sacred and secular music by performing in both nightclubs and concert halls while staying true to her gospel roots. Iconic songs like “Down by the Riverside” and “Strange Things Happening Every Day” showcased her spirited guitar playing and vocals, leaving a lasting impact on artists across various genres. Tharpe’s influence on early rhythm-and-blues performers and her recognition in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an Early Influence underscore her enduring legacy in music history.
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