Tharpe, Sister Rosetta
(1915–1973)
Tharpe, SisterRosetta (1915 or 1921, Cotton Plant, AR; 1973, Philadelphia, PA) Sister Rosetta Tharpe , one of gospel’s most successful and pioneering artists, was born Rosetta Nubin in Cotton Plant, Arkansas, in 1915 (her date of birth is sometimes placed as 1921). She made her first performance—accompanying herself on guitar, as she would for most of her life—at age six. Tharpe’s mother was a mandolin player and evangelist in the Church of God in Christ (COGIC). This church, founded by black…