Music is a powerful form of communication. Melodies, harmonies and rhythms have the power to transform emotions through expression that day-to-day language does not. In this modern era of different types of music and artistic expression, I often think about the origins of those sounds.
What was punk before punk was punk? What was rock and roll before it was labeled and where did it come from? Most are familiar with legends such as Johnny Cash, Little Richard, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lee Lewis as being pioneers in the rock and roll movement; however, who inspired them to sound and perform as they did?
Sister Rosetta was born Rosetta Nubin in
Cotton Plant, Ark., to parents who picked cotton. Sister Rosetta began singing and playing guitar with a traveling evangelical group from a very early age. She developed a reputation and considerable fame as a music prodigy in her early years. At age 23, she recorded for the first time with Decca Records. These recordings would be the first gospel tracks ever recorded by the record company and included a track called
Rock Me which went on to influence some of the aforementioned male rock and roll superstars.
Sister Rosetta was a boundary pusher in every sense of her style. She mixed gospel lyrics with a secular music style, played an electric guitar with heavy distortion when such guitar playing was primarily attributed to men. She shook and entire industry by not being afraid to express herself. She is an absolute model for taking risks.
In an interview with the Daily Mirror in 1957, she is quoted as saying, "All this new stuff they call rock and roll, why, I’ve been playing that for years now... Ninety percent of rock-and-roll artists came out of the church, their foundation is the church.”
In this time of extreme change, not only globally but locally, Sister Rosetta is a pioneer who must be celebrated. She is an inspiration to those who truly are willing to take a stance and not be swayed by outside or popular opinion. In later life she made her way to Philadelphia, Pa., where she passed away at age 58 as the result of a stroke on the eve of a recording session in 1973. This musical legend is buried in Northwood Cemetery in Philadelphia, very close to the Montgomery County border.
In 2008, January 11 was declared
Sister Rosetta Tharpe Day in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. In 2017, she was elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Sister Rosetta's legacy forever remains in the heart and soul of rock and roll. She will be celebrated as breaking boundaries and forever changing the game.
For the latest events at The Underground by Round Guys Brewing Company, be sure to check out
our website and
social media. Upcoming events this weekend include a sold-out fundraiser for the BuxMont Roller Derby Dolls and a concert with original music artists Labella & Poole, Rebecca Zimmerman and Alyssa Dodge.
The Underground is located at 408 West Main
Street (lower level), Lansdale, PA 19446.
Ryan Weiss is manager
of The Underground and a weekly columnist for North Penn Now. This opinion
column is published every Thursday.
