We were tasked with researching an important event of the 20th century and reflect on how it has impacted us today. I chose to write about my favourite historical icon: Sister Rosetta Tharpe, specifically this image of her performing “Didn't It Rain” at a railway station platform in south Manchester on 7 May 1964
Although not as well known as many other mainstream rock n’ roll legends, she is credited with bringing about the birth of rock n’ roll as a genre itself, popularizing heavily distorted guitar riffs and hip-swinging dance movements through her charismatic performances of gospel music. She is credited with being a significant influence on musicians that came after such as Aretha Franklin, Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis Presley, Meatloaf and many others. In 2018 she was inducted into the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame.
For this performance, not only were there a significant number of people who would go on to become influential musicians themselves among the live audience watching her, but the performance was also broadcast to around 10 million viewers on television, with Sister Rosetta Tharpe’s performance being singled out as what many people remembered most about the show. Famed TV producer Johnnie Hamp, responsible for booking the acts and suggesting the show take place at the disused train station, was later told that that particular show was of great influence to musicians like Mick Jagger, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and many others.
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