Black History Month
In honor of Black History Month, the RPA will be highlighting Arkansas’ Black Leaders, this week we are highlighting Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Born in Cotton Plant, she was one of gospel music’s first superstars, gaining popularity in the 1930s and 1940s. The first gospel performer to record for a major record label (Decca), and an early crossover from gospel to secular music.
Tharpe was a pioneer in her guitar technique; she was among the first popular recording artists to use heavy distortion on her electric guitar, opening the way to the rise of electric blues.
She was one of the first gospel musicians to appeal to rhythm and blues and rock and roll audiences, later being referred to as "the original soul sister" and "the Godmother of rock and roll".
Tharpe has been cited as an influence by numerous musicians, including Bob Dylan, Little Richard, Elvis Presley, and Arkansan Johnny Cash.
In 2018, Tharpe was posthumously inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an Early Influence. She was named the 6th greatest guitarist of all time in 2023 by Rolling Stone.
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