Although her role was long obscured, Tharpe has become widely recognized as the "Godmother of Rock ‘N’ Roll." A gospel artist at her core, she infused spiritual music with the sounds of rhythm and blues, by way of the electric guitar. Another gospel-meets-secular great, Little Richard, billed her his favorite singer as a child. (The two even completed an album together.) In 1970, she was nominated for a Grammy for her rendition of “Precious Memories.”

Fun fact: In 1950, Tharpe married her manager, Russell Morrison in Griffith Stadium in Washington D.C. in front of 20,000 fans. She then performed and recorded a concert. They remained married until her death in 1973.