Tharpe, Sister Rosetta

Tharpe, Sister Rosetta (b. Nubin)

(1915–73) gospel musician; born in Cotton Plant, Ark. She began singing and playing guitar in church and by 1938 was a featured soloist in Cotton Club revues backed by Cab Calloway and Lucky Millinder. Beginning in 1944 she developed a huge following in the burgeoning gospel market, which she maintained for the rest of her life.