Skip to main content Skip to main navigation
heart-solid My Visit Donate
Home Smithsonian Institution IK development site for ODI
Press Enter to activate a submenu, down arrow to access the items and Escape to close the submenu.
    • Overview
    • Museums and Zoo
    • Entry and Guidelines
    • Museum Maps
    • Dine and Shop
    • Accessibility
    • Visiting with Kids
    • Group Visits
    • Overview
    • Exhibitions
    • Online Events
    • All Events
    • IMAX & Planetarium
    • Overview
    • Topics
    • Collections
    • Research Resources
    • Stories
    • Podcasts
    • Overview
    • For Caregivers
    • For Educators
    • For Students
    • For Academics
    • For Lifelong Learners
    • Overview
    • Become a Member
    • Renew Membership
    • Make a Gift
    • Volunteer
    • Overview
    • Our Organization
    • Our Leadership
    • Reports and Plans
    • Newsdesk
heart-solid My Visit Donate

Sister Rosetta Tharpe: The Godmother of Rock and Roll

A gospel superstar, Sister Rosetta Tharpe (March 20, 1915 – October 9, 1973) combined traditional gospel music with virtuoso guitar solos on her Gibson SG to create a groundbreaking sound that would have a profound influence on rock and roll musicians that followed. Tharpe was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2018.


32c Rosetta Tharpe single

Photographic print of Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Sister Rosetta Tharpe: America's Greatest Gospel Singing and Guitar Playing Star

Precious Memories

Photographic print of Sister Rosetta Tharpe

The Gospel Truth

Eighteen Original Negro Spirituals by Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Blessed Assurance

Photographic print of Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Gospel Songs

Photographic print of Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Photographic print of Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Didn't It Rain / Stretch Out

Photographic print of Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Photographic print of Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Advertisement for a Sister Rosetta Tharpe record

When I First Sought The Lord / Tell Him You Saw Me

Gospel Singer Sister Rosetta Tharpe With The Sally Jenkins Singers

Photographic print of Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Swingin', Shoutin', Really Movin' Gospel

Have A Little Talk With Jesus / Strange Things Happening Every Day

Photographic print of Sister Rosetta Tharpe

The Gospel Truth

Photographic print of Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Photographic print of Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Little Richard & Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Jazz Hot No. 129

Sing And Shout / I'm So Glad

Jazz Journal Vol. 10, No. 11

arrow-up Back to top
Home
  • Facebook facebook
  • Instagram instagram
  • LinkedIn linkedin
  • YouTube youtube

  • Contact Us
  • Get Involved
  • Shop Online
  • Job Opportunities
  • Equal Opportunity
  • Inspector General
  • Records Requests
  • Accessibility
  • Host Your Event
  • Press Room
  • Privacy
  • Terms of Use