Honoring Sister Rosetta Tharpe: A Celebration of a Rock & Roll Pioneer in Richmond

If you know me, you know I’m a music lover. That’s why I’m excited to see some well-deserved recognition for Sister Rosetta Tharpe, one of the most influential musicians of all time—and a former Richmond resident.

She’s often called the mother of rock & roll, influencing legends like Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, and Jimi Hendrix with her groundbreaking guitar playing and electrifying stage presence. Though her fame was international, she called Richmond home for nearly a decade, and now, the city is finally working to honor her legacy in a meaningful way.

On Thursday, March 20th, at 7 PM, Richmond’s historic Hippodrome Theater will host “Up Above My Head: A Tribute to Sister Rosetta Tharpe.” This concert will not only showcase her music but also highlight her life, her impact on gospel and rock & roll, and the movement to cement her legacy in Richmond.

The night will feature an incredible lineup of Richmond’s brightest musical talents, including:

🎶 Desiree Roots

🎶 Ms. Jaylin Brown

🎶 Weldon Hill

🎶 Sam Reed

🎶 Quinton Jones

🎶 Sir Rome

…and more!

Beyond the music, this event is just the beginning. Proceeds will go toward initiatives to celebrate Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s connection to Richmond, including efforts to establish a city holiday, historic markers, road signs, and even scholarships in her name. There will also be a special auction featuring an electric guitar painted by Noah Scalin, a unique tribute to Tharpe’s lasting influence.

I plan on attending—who wants to join me? This is a night you won’t want to miss!

📅 Date: Thursday, March 20th

📍 Location: The Hippodrome, Richmond, VA

🎟 Get your tickets and be part of history!

For more information, visit shockoerecords.com.

Watch Sister Rosetta Tharpe in Action

Experience her legendary talent in these classic performances:

Sister Rosetta Tharpe: The Godmother of Rock ‘n’ Roll

Sister Rosetta Tharpe (March 20, 1915 – October 9, 1973) was a pioneering American musician, singer, and songwriter who blended gospel with rhythm and blues, jazz, and early rock ‘n’ roll. Often referred to as the “Godmother of Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Tharpe was one of the first artists to use an electric guitar in gospel music, influencing generations of musicians, including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and later rock and blues artists.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Born Rosetta Nubin in Cotton Plant, Arkansas, to a deeply religious family, she was exposed to gospel music at an early age. Her mother, Katie Bell Nubin, was a singer, mandolin player, and traveling evangelist with the Church of God in Christ (COGIC). This church, founded by African Americans, encouraged musical expression in worship, particularly among women. Tharpe’s exposure to this vibrant and deeply spiritual music laid the foundation for her later style.

By the age of four, Rosetta was already performing in church services alongside her mother, and by six, she was hailed as a musical prodigy, proficient in guitar and vocals. Her exceptional talent led her to tour with her mother’s evangelistic troupe throughout the South, and she gained a reputation as a powerful performer who could move audiences with her passionate singing and dazzling guitar skills.

Rise to Fame: Gospel Meets Secular Music

In the 1930s, Rosetta moved to Chicago with her mother, continuing her church performances while becoming exposed to jazz and blues influences. In 1938, she moved to New York City, where she signed with Decca Records. That same year, she recorded four groundbreaking gospel songs: “Rock Me,” “That’s All,” “My Man and I,” and “The Lonesome Road.” These songs, especially “Rock Me,” combined the spiritual fervor of gospel with the rhythmic energy of blues and swing, marking a significant moment in music history.

Tharpe’s recordings were revolutionary—they brought gospel into the mainstream and laid the groundwork for rock and roll. Her ability to fuse sacred themes with secular rhythms made her controversial in some religious circles but beloved by a wider audience.

Electric Guitar and Early Rock ‘n’ Roll

Tharpe was among the first major musicians to use an electric guitar, and she played it with a flair that would later be emulated by rock guitarists. Her signature guitar work, often featuring fast, aggressive picking and blues-style bending, was ahead of its time. Songs like “Strange Things Happening Every Day” (1944) showcased her electrifying style and became some of the earliest recordings that could be considered rock ‘n’ roll.

“Strange Things Happening Every Day” was a significant milestone—it became the first gospel song to cross over to the Billboard race records chart (later the R&B chart), reaching mainstream audiences. Many music historians recognize this as one of the first rock ‘n’ roll recordings.

Mid-Career: Influence on Rock and Gospel

During the 1940s and 1950s, Tharpe toured extensively, playing to integrated audiences—something that was uncommon in the segregated America of her time. She shared stages with some of the era’s biggest names, including Duke Ellington and the legendary blues musician Muddy Waters.

In 1951, she staged a spectacular wedding concert at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C., where she married her third husband, Russell Morrison, in front of a crowd of 25,000 fans. The event, which included a full concert, was a testament to her immense popularity.

Throughout her career, Tharpe continued to challenge musical boundaries. She mentored and influenced young artists, including Little Richard, who often cited her as his greatest inspiration. Chuck Berry, one of the fathers of rock and roll, borrowed heavily from her guitar technique. Even later musicians such as Keith Richards of The Rolling Stones acknowledged her impact.

Later Years and Legacy

By the 1960s, as gospel and blues declined in mainstream popularity and rock and roll took center stage, Tharpe’s influence was somewhat overshadowed. However, she continued to tour, particularly in Europe, where she found a devoted following. Her 1964 tour of the UK, where she performed with Muddy Waters, introduced her to a new generation of blues and rock fans, including young British musicians who would later shape rock music.

In her later years, she suffered from health problems, including diabetes, which led to the amputation of her leg. Despite her declining health, she continued to perform until she suffered a stroke in 1970. Three years later, on October 9, 1973, she passed away in Philadelphia at the age of 58.

Recognition and Revival

For many years, Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s contributions to music were overlooked, but in recent decades, her legacy has been re-evaluated and celebrated. She has been posthumously recognized with multiple honors:

• Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (2018)
• A Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award
• Her influence has been acknowledged by the likes of Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, and Eric Clapton.

Conclusion: The True Godmother of Rock ‘n’ Roll

Sister Rosetta Tharpe was a trailblazer, a woman ahead of her time who merged gospel’s spiritual intensity with the raw energy of rock and blues. Her fearless fusion of styles laid the foundation for rock ‘n’ roll, inspiring some of the greatest musicians of the 20th century. Today, her legacy continues to shine as one of the most influential and innovative artists in American music history.