Includes bibliographical references (pages 229-240), discography (p. 226-227) , and index.
Cotton plant (1915-1920) -- Got on my travelin' shoes (1920-1937) -- From spirituals to swing (1938-1940) -- Shout, Sister, shout (1940-1946) -- Bridge : "She made that guitar talk" -- Little sister (1947-1949) -- At home and on the road (1948-1950) -- "The world's greatest spiritual concert" (1950-1951) -- Sister in Opryland (1952) -- Don't leave me here (1953-1957) -- Bridge : "The men would stand back" -- Rebirth and revival (1957-1964) -- Riding the gospel train (1960-1970) -- I looked down the line (1970-1973) -- Epilogue : Vibrations, strong and mean.
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"Long before "women in rock" became a media catchphrase, Rosetta Tharpe proved in spectacular fashion that women could rock. Born in Cotton Plant, Arkansas, in 1915, Tharpe was gospel's first superstar and the preeminent crossover figure of its golden age (1945-1965)." "Shout, Sister, Shout! is the first biography of this trailblazing performer who influenced scores of popular musicians, from Elvis Presley and Little Richard to Eric Clapton and Etta James. Tharpe defied classification, and disregarded the social and cultural norms of the age, incorporating elements of gospel, blues, jazz, popular ballads, folk, country, rhythm and blues, and rock and roll. Tharpe went electric early on, captivating both white and black audiences in the North and South, in the U.S. and internationally, with her charisma and skill. Tharpe even staged her own wedding as a gospel concert - in a stadium holding 20,000 people!" "Wald's eye-opening biography, which draws on the memories of more than a hundred people who knew or worked with Tharpe, introduces us to this vibrant, essential, yet nearly forgotten musical heavyweight whose long career helped define gospel, r & b, and rock music."--Jacket.
Drawing on interviews with and reminiscences of family and colleagues, a portrait of Rosetta Tharpe traces the life and career of the pioneering gospel singer, songwriter, recording artist, and guitar prodigy and examines her influence on the musicians of her era.