The gospel roots of the 'Godmother of rock 'n' roll'
Discover the life, music and influence of the African-American gospel singer and guitar virtuoso Sister Rosetta Tharpe (1915-1973) on the American Masters. RNS photo by James J. Kriegsmann courtesy PBS American Masters.
(RNS) Before Elvis and Chuck Berry and Johnny Cash. Before Aretha and Whitney and Beyonce. Before the blues met gospel and conceived rock 'n’ roll, there was Sister Rosetta Tharpe.