Rosetta Tharpe, who helped turn gospel sounds into rock ’n’ roll, mentors newcomer in Northlight play

Aspiring singer Marie Knight (Alexis J. Roston, left) partners with Sister Rosetta Tharpe (Bethany Thomas in Northlight Theatre’s “Marie & Rosetta.” (Michael Brosilow)

There is a solid case to be made that Sister Rosetta Tharpe invented rock ’n’ roll. Listen to her innovative guitar work and her melding of gospel with secular sounds, and her influence on countless future musicians and singers becomes obvious.

From Chuck Berry and Little Richard to Eric Clapton and Jeff Beck to Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and the Staple Singers, each admitted to being influenced by Tharpe, a musical trailblazer. Yet she remains a performer many people have never heard of, whose rich history deserves a closer look.