Living country legend Dolly Parton switched to rock at 77
Sister Rosetta Tharpe is often called the godmother of rock and roll, a pioneer who helped birth and shape the genre. Her name surfaces in discussions of influence and innovation, a reminder that the early roots of rock extend far beyond the most famous chart-toppers. Tharpe stands as a bright thread in the fabric of rock history, recognized by many as a foundational force who inspired generations of artists who followed after her.
Among the artists who acknowledge Tharpe’s impact are Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Elvis Presley. In addition, names like Johnny Cash, Tina Turner, and Jimi Hendrix have pointed to her as a powerful influence. Yet during her era she faced immense barriers: she was a woman, a Black musician, and a bisexual artist in times of harsh social codes. Despite early commercial success and a long, dynamic career filled with performances in venues across the United States, Tharpe’s legacy was sometimes minimized. By the time of her passing in 1973, she did not always receive the tombstone of recognition she deserved in popular culture.
The enduring question remains: what happens when the contributions of women are silenced or overlooked in music history? The case invites further reflection on a broader pattern in which talented, innovative women shaped music but did not always receive equal prominence in official histories. The goal is to shed light on these stories and ensure they are remembered with the clarity they deserve.
In this context, Dolly Parton, a living country legend, later shifted toward rock influences at the age of 77, illustrating how artists cross genres and eras while maintaining a distinctive artistic voice. The conversation about Tharpe and others prompts a wider look at how musical breakthroughs arise from many directions and how the record of those breakthroughs can be refined to include all major contributors.
American writers have highlighted Tharpe as one of the most famous rock and roll figures people may not know well. The image of a Black woman in a long white sequined dress, touring the country in the 1930s and 1940s with an electric guitar around her neck, captures the public imagination and points to an overlooked lineage within American music. Critics have noted that Tharpe’s influence extends to generations of rock and roll artists who followed, even as her name disappeared from many mainstream histories for years.
At the Cotton Club
Tharpe faced social and racial barriers from a young age. Born in the southern United States in 1915, she began playing guitar early and quickly demonstrated extraordinary talent. As the daughter of cotton pickers and preachers, she often accompanied her mother to church, where audiences marveled at her singing and guitar prowess. Her early path bridged gospel roots with secular music, a journey that would redefine how audiences experienced the instrument and the rhythm of the era.
She moved to New York in 1938 and performed at the Cotton Club before joining Lucky Millinder’s orchestra. Although gospel served as her core style, her forays into jazz, blues, and swing challenged the boundaries of religious and social norms. The courage to cross those forbidden lines came with obstacles, yet it also opened doorways for new musical expressions, proving that charisma and determination could cross barriers despite strong resistance.
Her first hit, Rock Me, embraced a gospel foundation and showcased a striking blend of spiritual warmth and secular energy. In the From Spirituals to Swing concert at Carnegie Hall, critics began to acknowledge the emergence of rock and roll in history, with some scholars recognizing Tharpe as a pivotal early force. Contemporary voices have called attention to her pioneering role in shaping the sound and attitude of rock before many others did.
An extraordinary guitarist
In the mid-40s, Tharpe achieved notable success with songs that hinted at the future trajectory of rock and roll, using innovative guitar techniques that pushed the instrument toward broader horizons. Her performing style fused a dynamic stage presence with a fearless approach to strings and rhythm, signaling a new direction for electric guitar in popular music.
While her mezzo-soprano singing carried character and charm, Tharpe’s guitar work dominated the public imagination. She performed with a vitality that impressed fellow musicians, who later acknowledged her influence. Famous musicians have cited her impact on their own artistry, including Hendrix, Presley, and many others who admired the way she blended gospel fervor with electric drive. Hendrix himself expressed admiration for Tharpe, noting in discussions that he early aspired to play as boldly as she did.
Tharpe’s personal life, including marriages and collaborations, drew public interest even as race and sexuality created additional hurdles during touring years. Nevertheless, her creative partnerships, including collaborations with Marie Knight, underscored a remarkable ability to fuse different musical traditions while confronting the social codes of the time. These early career choices reflect a broader pattern in which artists navigate complex cultural landscapes to keep their music moving forward.
He was buried in a grave without a headstone
The decline of Tharpe’s popularity in the 1950s did not end the story. A 1964 European tour, including a celebrated appearance in Manchester, reignited interest and influenced British musicians such as Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, Brian Jones, and Jimmy Page. The revival underscored the enduring reach of her gospel and blues roots and the ways they informed new generations of players and listeners.
After a stroke in 1970 and subsequent complications, Tharpe passed away in 1973 and was laid to rest in an unmarked grave for years. Her name, once a common mention among rock and roll pioneers, gradually returned to prominence as artists and historians revisited her contributions and sought to honor them in lasting ways. In later years, posthumous recognitions helped restore her place in the pantheon of rock and roll legends. A dedicated effort to commission a tombstone and to celebrate her legacy culminated in renewed public acknowledgment and continued admiration for her influential voice and guitar work. Through these acts of remembrance, the story of Rosetta Tharpe joins the broader narrative of music history, where talent and courage deserve durable recognition.