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Rock Pioneer Honored at Manchester Station
20 Aug
Summary
- Sister Rosetta Tharpe performed at a railway station in 1964.
- A blue plaque now commemorates her performance at Wilbraham Road.
- The plaque celebrates Black musicians who impacted Manchester.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe, revered as the 'Godmother of rock and roll,' has been honored in Manchester with a commemorative blue plaque. The plaque marks the location of her unique 1964 performance at the then-disused railway station on Wilbraham Road in Whalley Range.
In May 1964, Tharpe graced the stage at the station to record a segment for Granada TV's 'Blues and Gospel Train.' This historic event, which also featured blues legend Muddy Waters, highlighted Tharpe's immense influence on music icons like Chuck Berry and Elvis Presley.
The unveiling is part of a broader initiative by social historian Karen Gabay to recognize the indelible mark Black musicians have left on Manchester's vibrant cultural tapestry through strategically placed plaques.
