Sister Rosetta Tharpe                                                      

Have you ever heard of her? She was born in 1915 in Cotton Plant, Arkansas. She died in 1973 of a stroke at the young age of 58 in Pennsylvania. She is referred to as the "original soul sister" and the "Godmother of rock-and-roll". One of her biggest fans was Elvis Presley and she also influenced early rock-and-roll musicians, including Little Richard, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Chuck Berry and Jerry Lee Lewis. 

 

She began as a gospel singer and musician and finally, she has been inducted into the Rock-and-Roll Hall of Fame. Read more about her interesting career and widespread influence HERE.