Sister Rosetta Tharpe, late in her career in this video, was among the first gospel musicians to appeal to rhythm-and-blues and rock-and-roll audiences, later referred to as "the original soul sister" and "the Godmother of rock and roll". Tharpe's 1944 release "Down by the Riverside" was selected for the National Recording Registry of the U.S. Library of Congress in 2004. Among the first popular recording artists to use heavy distortion on her electric guitar, presaging the rise of electric blues. In 1947, she heard Richard Penniman sing before her concert at the Macon City Auditorium, invited him on stage to sing with her, and paid him. That was 'Little' Richard's first public performance outside of the church.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe, late in her career in this video, was among the first gospel musicians to appeal to rhythm-and-blues and rock-and-roll audiences, later referred to as "the original soul sister" and "the Godmother of rock and roll". Tharpe's 1944 release "Down by the Riverside" was selected for the National Recording Registry of the U.S. Library of Congress in 2004. Among the first popular recording artists to use heavy distortion on her electric guitar, presaging the rise of electric blues. In 1947, she heard Richard Penniman sing before her concert at the Macon City Auditorium, invited him on stage to sing with her, and paid him. That was 'Little' Richard's first public performance outside of the church.
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