My fave pic (c. 1940s) of Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Black queer gospel singer-songwriter who made rock n’ roll songs in the 30s. She was Johnny Cash’s favorite singer, Little Richard’s greatest influence, and Chuck Berry said his entire career was just “one long Rosetta Tharpe impersonation.”
That pic can only be 1958 or later, because Gretsch guitars didn’t have humbucking pickups until that year.
Queer? I don’t have anything against the community but I’ve never heard that.
I’d heard of Sister Rosetta Tharpe several times in the past 40 years, but only recently actually listened to her and her music. Wow. It’s excellent. Particularly “Strange Things Happening Every Day”. Do yourself a favour, and have a listen.
And played a gorgeous guitar.