Guitar Heroes Update - Forgotten Heroes!

#GuitarHeroes

Firstly, thanks for all the great responses to the blog so far! And especially thanks for suggestions - the more great 'hungry women' that can be publicised the better, hence turning  to the World Wide Web for this project, it being the perfect tool to do so. I do love it when a plan comes together :)

So who have I missed? Many, many people, clearly, but in particular the iconic Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Singer, song-writer, guitarist, cyclist, maverick. Well, I'm not sure about the cyclist bit but she was one of the first performers to bring Gospel music to the popular music scene, spanning the genres from Gospel to Blues, and one of the pioneers of rhythmic guitar and early rock music. Little Richard cites her as his favourite artist when he was growing up and her guitar style is said to have inspired Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley, among others.

And wasn't just musical boundaries that she broke. From the age of four, encouraged by her mother who was also a singer and mandolin player, she was performing (singing and playing guitar) at the Church of God in Christ, one of the few religious groups at the time (and, today, in fact) that allowed women to preach. More than just a guitar hero!

So here are some clips from 'Little Rosetta Nubin', who had been touring the USA since the age of 6. Crikey. Enjoy!

'Up Above My Head'

'Didn't It Rain'

Lastly, I couldn't end this update without mentioning another guitar hero of mine - the person, in fact, who pointed out my heinous crime of having missed out Rosetta in the first place. One of those annoying people who can get a decent sound out of almost any instrument they pick up, from guitar to drums, to washboard, to banjolele - and including things that aren't really meant to sound good but somehow do when she plays them, like mouth trumpet and kazoo - she's also got that rootsy, bluesy voice to match. And writes great songs. And traveled in India learning local, traditional and contemporary music from the people she met on the way. I'm not going to lie, I'm a little bit jealous...As we all are, I think, with all our heroes. Here are some clips of the and only Abie Budgen in action...

'Nobody's Business If I Do'

'Happy New War'

Look out for her playing with her Miracle Tonic!