Sister Rosetta Tharpe Honored

Sister Rosetta Tharpe was honored on October 24 with the placement of a official state historic marker in front of her home in Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission marker states:

Sister Rosetta Tharpe (1915-1973) One of gospel music's first superstars, she popularized the genre by including secular music elements. A guitar virtuoso and charismatic performer throughout America and Europe, she toured with Count Basie, Cab Calloway, and Benny Goodman. Her home was here.

Listen to her music with CDs available in the Media Center, or learn more from an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer and an NPR interview with Tharpe biographer Gayle Wald.

New marker in N. Phila. labels home of music pioneer Sister Rosetta Tharpe

A Sister Rosetta Tharpe Biography