A walk with Sister Rosetta Tharpe

Hey Family,

So for those who don't know me, this is King Kurus, the Black History Buff, and I make a Podcast called the Black History Buff Podcast.

In my show, I showcase figures from black history as I go through my own personal learning journey. I started making the podcast and sharing resources online mainly for my son, to show him that black history, all of it, is as beautiful, terrible, and most importantly, valuable as any other history.

As I shared these stories, I slowly fell in love with the process, and it's quickly become all I want to do. But like everyone else, I have to work, and between family and a full-time job, finding the time to share things the way I want to has become difficult, sometimes impossible.

So, I hit on an idea: Why not make walking videos where I talk about black history? It's a good way to pass some time, share stories, and lose some weight - 'cause God knows I need to lose some weight.

I bought a camera I could not afford, some clips I also could not afford, and I started walking, which I can afford as long as my health holds out.

Welcome to my first walking video. I don't know how this is going to be received or how this new creative journey will end, but not knowing how a story ends has never stopped me before. So, let's begin.

Today, I want to talk about a woman who changed the face of music as we know it: Sister Rosetta Tharpe.

Picture this: It's 1915 in Cotton Plant, Arkansas. A little girl named Rosetta Nubin picks up a guitar at just four years old. Her tiny hands can barely stretch across the strings, but she's determined.

By six, she's touring with her mother, singing in churches. But here's the thing - some folks aren't happy. They say she's playing "the devil's music." Can you imagine? A little girl with a big voice and fast fingers, and people are already trying to shut her down.

Fast forward to 1938. Rosetta, now Sister Rosetta Tharpe, takes a huge risk. She moves to New York City and signs with Decca Records. Now, hold on to your hats - she records a gospel song, "Rock Me," with a jazz band. The gospel world is shocked. Critics call her a sinner. But you know what? The audience loves it.

Here's where it gets really interesting. December 23, 1938, Tharpe shows up at the Cotton Club with an electric guitar. Now, nobody's seen a gospel performer do this before. The crowd goes silent. Then, bam! She starts playing like nobody's ever played before. The place erupts.

During World War II, despite all the racial segregation going on, Tharpe records special songs for American soldiers. She's facing discrimination left and right on tour, but she keeps using her music to break down those barriers.

1944 rolls around, and Tharpe drops "Strange Things Happening Every Day." It's this wild mix of gospel and blues that has purists from both sides up in arms. But guess what? It becomes a hit. This song paves the way for what we now call rock and roll.

Now, you'd think with all this innovation, Tharpe would be rolling in recognition, right? Wrong. As the 1950s hit and new artists like Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley start using her sound, Tharpe struggles to get credit.

But does she give up? Hell no. She keeps touring, even heading to Europe where they still appreciate her genius.

In 1970, Tharpe has a stroke while on tour in Europe. Doctors tell her to quit. But our girl? She keeps on performing. That's the kind of determination we're talking about.

Sadly, on October 9, 1973, Sister Rosetta Tharpe plays her last song. She leaves behind a huge impact on music, but the industry largely ignores it. Can you believe it took until 2018 for her to be added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?

So, next time you hear a wailing electric guitar or see someone mixing up musical genres, remember Sister Rosetta Tharpe. She wasn't just ahead of her time - she was creating the future of music against all odds.

Her story reminds us why we need to keep digging into our history. There are so many incredible Black pioneers whose stories have been overlooked or forgotten. And that's exactly why I do what I do.

Now, I've got a question for you: Who's your Sister Rosetta Tharpe? Who's that unsung hero in Black history that you think deserves more recognition? Drop your thoughts in the comments below - I read every single one, and you might just inspire my next video.

And hey, if you enjoyed this stroll through history with me, I've got two ways you can help keep these stories alive:

First, if you're watching on YouTube, smash that like button and subscribe to the channel. Hit that notification bell too, so you never miss a video. Your support there helps me reach more people with these important stories.

Second, whether you're on YouTube or Patreon, consider becoming a patron. Your support on Patreon helps me dedicate more time to research, create better content, and share more of these hidden gems from our history. Plus, patrons get exclusive content and behind-the-scenes looks at my process.

Remember, every like, every subscribe, every patron makes a difference. You're not just supporting me - you're helping to ensure that these vital stories from Black history get the attention they deserve.

Until next time, keep learning, keep growing, and keep celebrating our rich history.

Blessings,

KK