Sister Rosetta Tharpe, born Rosetta Nubin on March 20, 1915, in Cotton Plant, Arkansas, was an pioneering figure in gospel music whose innovative guitar playing and singing fused spiritual devotion with the showmanship of secular blues and jazz. The daughter of evangelist Bishop James McGuire Tharpe and musician Katie Bell Nubin, she grew up surrounded by sacred song and instrumental virtuosity, which she honed into a unique performance style that would redefine the boundaries between genres. By her teens, Tharpe was performing in churches across the country, accompanying her mother and other gospel singers with her skillful guitar work, which incorporated techniques from jazz and blues artists like Lonnie Johnson and Blind Lemon Jefferson. Her career took a significant turn when she began recording for major labels such as Decca Records in the late 1930s. Her 1938 song "Rock Me (In the Bosom of My Lord)" is often cited as an early form of rock and roll, influencing a generation of musicians across various genres. Tharpe's music was characterized by its emotional intensity, virtuosic guitar solos, and a powerful, soulful voice that could convey both the ecstasy of salvation and the earthy appeal of secular music. She toured worldwide and became an icon, particularly in the UK, where she enjoyed significant popularity and influenced British musicians such as Mick Jagger and Eric Clapton. Tharpe's performances were not only a testament to her musical prowess but also a challenge to the social norms of her time; she was a black woman playing electric guitar at a time when such roles were uncommon. Her legacy is celebrated for its contribution to the American musical landscape and for breaking barriers in gender, race, and genre, making her one of the most significant and enduring figures in the history of American music. Sister Rosetta Tharpe passed away on October 9, 1974, but her influence continues to resonate through the work of contemporary gospel and rock artists who draw direct inspiration from her trailblazing sound.