Happy Birthday Sister Rosetta Tharpe!

Gospel pop guitarist Sister Rosetta Tharpe (March 20, 1915 - October 9 1973) has been called the Godmother of rock and roll. She was a huge star from the 1930’s to the 50’s, but was largely forgotten for many decades. This feature which I producted for NPR places Tharpe in the history of popular music. Featured are her collaborator Marie Knight, biographer Gail Wald, admirer musician singer Maria Muldaur, and some tear as guitar shredding.

If you like this, check out Bo Diddley and Carrie Brownstein