While not a household name, this pioneer of electric guitar playing and technique influenced Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and many others, was using distortion before most others and was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame.

Her name? Sister Rosetta Tharpe.

Born Rosetta Nubin in Arkansas in 1915, she sang and played guitar from the age of six. She started on the acoustic guitar and switched to the electric by the 1950’s.

Sister Rosetta Tharpe was an innovative musician worthy of being included on more “Best Players” compilations.