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African-American Women in Rock: Sister Rosetta Tharpe

This is a guide to various resources at the Library and Archives that may be valuable to teachers who need resources relating to African-American women in rock and roll for use in their classrooms.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Promo photoSister Rosetta Tharpe was the first guitar heroine of rock and roll.

Her heartfelt gospel folksiness gave way to her roaring mastery of her trusty Gibson SG, which she wielded on a level that rivaled the best of her male contemporaries. If Tharpe had not been there as a model and inspiration, Elvis Presley, Little Richard, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, and other rock originators would have had different careers. No one deserves more to be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Sister Rosetta became famous in 1938 and was a star through the 1940’s, a black woman singing gospel music to the accompaniment of her own driving electric guitar – howling and stamping. More on rockhall.com...

Books

Spotify Playlist

Audio

Video

YouTube Performances

Archival Collections

Listed below are notable collections and items from the Rock Hall's Archives. You can find more by searching our catalog here.

YouTube Videos

Rock Hall Videos

Influence and Legacy

Sister Rosetta Tharpe was influenced by...

  • Muddy Waters
  • Lucky Millinder
  • Cab Calloway

Sister Rosetta Tharpe inspired musicians like...

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