SISTER ROSETTA THARPE
Gospel singer turned blues guitar slinger dubbed the Godmother of rock ’n’ roll
If you haven’t seen the video of this American gospel singer wowing a stunned English audience on a disused Manchester railway station back in 1964, then Google it. Said to have influenced legends including Elvis Presley, Little Richard and Bob Dylan, Sister Rosetta lost many of her religious fans when she moved from gospel into blues, but gained a whole new following. Cracking out scary licks on a Gibson Les Paul Goldtop or white SG Custom in open E tuning, her distorted guitar lines matched her powerful, heartfelt vocals. A trailblazing electric guitarist and superb singer, her place in blues history is assured.
CHARLEY PATTON
The founder of delta blues
The 58 surviving songs we have from Mississippi resident Charley Patton come from just ten recording dates. Even with dodgy fidelity, they’re a priceless document of the origins of delta blues, influencing everyone who came afterwards. Patton was among the first great blues showmen, performing with the guitar between his legs and behind his head thirty years before Chuck Berry. More importantly, his thumb slap technique was the precursor to modern slap bass. He tuned the guitar a tone sharp for his distinctive sound. Bob Dylan was a notable devotee, drawing much from Patton’s folk ballads and observational lyrics.
SON HOUSE
Preachin’ Blues was more than a song – it was his life story
Robert Johnson may not have sold his soul, while Johnny Winter and The White Stripes recorded takes on. Rougher and rawer than his Delta contemporaries Charley Patton and Robert Johnson, his gutsy slide style converts well to electric blues-rock.
