63 Sister Rosetta Tharpe (1915-1973) “Down By the Riverside” 1944, “Strange Things Happening Every Day” 1945

“Strange Things” was a favorite of young white musicians such as Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, and Johnny Cash. Lewis said, “Say, man, there’s a woman that can sing some rock and roll. I mean, she’s singing religious music, but she is singing rock and roll. She’s…shakin’, man…She jumps it. She’s hitting that guitar, playing that guitar and she is singing” (Shout, Sister, Shout). Her 1944 recording of “Down By the Riverside” is listed on the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress. 

Sister Rosetta Tharpe "Strange Things Happening Every Day"

Sister Rosetta Tharpe "Down By the Riverside"