The Godmother of Rock & Roll: The Untold Story of Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Before Elvis, Chuck Berry, or The Beatles, there was Sister Rosetta Tharpe. She’s a gospel superstar and electric-guitar pioneer whose bold sound helped lay the foundation for rock & roll. Will Anderson tells the story of Tharpe’s remarkable rise, her complicated relationship with gospel music, and the ways history overlooked her contributions. He’s joined by Gayle Wald, author of Shout, Sister, Shout!, the definitive biography of Rosetta, to explore her lasting influence and the generations of artists who followed in her wake. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices