AMERICAN MASTERS "Sister Rosetta Tharpe"

Sister Rosetta Tharpe performing in New York’s Café Society in 1940.

Credit: Courtesy of Don Peterson/Charles Peterson

Discover the life, music and influence of African-American gospel singer and guitar virtuoso Rosetta Tharpe. During the 1940s-60s, she introduced the spiritual passion of her gospel music into the secular world of rock ’n’ roll, inspiring some of its greatest stars, including Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard. One of the most influential musicians of the 20th century, Tharpe may not be a household name today, but the flamboyant superstar, with her spectacular playing on the newly electrified guitar, played a pivotal role in the creation of rock ’n’ roll. AMERICAN MASTERS "Sister Rosetta Tharpe" airs Sunday, March 3, 2013 at 6 p.m. on WXXI World (DT21.2/cable 524).