Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s legacy as the foremother of rock and roll music is being celebrated with a new accessory line and video about her life. Gibson guitar maker and Tharpe’s estate have partnered to create the Sister Rosetta Tharpe Collection. Tharpe’s gospel roots and electric guitar paved the way for Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley and the British blues movement of the ’60s. The foundation Tharpe established is rarely attributed back to her and the new Gibson line introduces her to a new world. Before there was Black women guitarists like India.Arie, Tracy Chapman and Odetta, Tharpe was the lone pioneer. The new line has tour jackets, wall pendants, t-shirts and posters. The release of the merchandise coincides with the 61st anniversary of Tharpe’s favorite instrument the 1961 Les Paul SG which has been reissued as a Gibson and an Epiphone.
Gibson artists Celisse and Amythyst Kiah have made a video recreating Tharpe’s songs and they also talk about her influence on music. The collection can be viewed at the Gibson website.
