Sister Rosetta Tharpe was born in Cotton Plant, Ark., to a ukelele playing mother who sang in the Pentecostal church. By the time Rosetta was 5 years old, she was playing guitar and singing in front of the congregation. The church influenced her deft playing style and she would grow up and share her talents across the globe. This oft-overlooked singer and electric guitarist influenced artists from Johnny Cash to Eric Clapton to Little Richard and the Rolling Stones. She truly is the godmother of rock and roll.

This podcast episode is based on the biography by Gayle Wald and tells Rosetta's story.