Page 34 - Blues Festival Guide Magazine 2021

Ladies of the blues -
(l to r) Camille Howard, Big
Mama Thornton (forefront),
Ella Mae Morse, Memphis
Minnie, Sister Rosetta
Tharpe, Big Maybelle Smith,
Julia Lee
Ladies Sing &

By Reverend Billy C. Wirtz Sister Rosetta Tharpe
When you hear the term “The Blues” it’s easy to fall back on (vocals, guitar)
stereotypes and a half-dozen famous artists. Get set, because Born in 1915 in Cotton Plant, AR, the daughter of an
I’m going to turn you on to some other truly great artists that evangelist for the Church of God in Christ, Rosetta Tharpe’s
you may not be familiar with. Although mostly forgotten today, contribution to gospel, blues and popular music is staggering.
these women were all popular and well respected in their time. She wrote great songs and performed them with relentless
Back in the middle of the 20th century, female musicians often energy, however, it’s the guitar playing that sets her apart.
found themselves marginalized and treated as novelty acts, and There are several YouTube clips that attest to her devastating
women of color even more so. technique, style and presentation. Watch as she throws down
The women in this article might have been marginalized at Pete Townsend’s windmills, and rips out riffs while singing
first, but eventually they were all accepted based on their talents. both gospel and rhythm & blues. In his induction speech into
They played their instruments with command, often set new the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Johnny Cash said she was
boundaries for “acceptable” subject matter in their songs, and his favorite singer. Jerry Lee Lewis’ take was, “Man, there’s
dared their audiences to relax and laugh at themselves a little. a woman who can sing some rock ‘n’ roll… She’s hitting
As a matter of fact, that sense of humor is one of the underlying that guitar, playing that guitar and she is singing… I said,
themes that connects them. Virtually every one of them poked fun ‘Whoooo. Sister Rosetta Tharpe!’” Dubbed the Godmother of
at relationships and their lack of success in those areas; Memphis Rock ‘n’ Roll, The Beatles loved her, Elvis had all her records,
Minnie talks about how her men always became injured and the rockabilly players stole from her, B.B., Jimi, Scotty Moore
unable to work, Big Mama Thornton told men they were “hound and others – they all owe a huge debt to a middle-aged
dogs” and Julia Lee brazenly hints at the gratifications of oral sex African American LGBTQ pioneer named Rosetta. She boldly
and marijuana in “The Spinach Song!” Along with the humor, broke down barriers within the music world and duck-walked
the music is superb; Sister Rosetta Tharpe, Memphis Minnie and in her choir robes. Amen.
the rest could have all had fine careers just as players. If you’re
a fan of Janis Joplin, Koko Taylor or Bonnie Raitt, these are the
Matriarchs and you’ll enjoy them, guaranteed.

32 Blues Festival Guide 2021