Not every famous musician uses their power for selfish returns. Others, like these three musicians and activists, used their fame to create real, tangible change in the world. And I think they deserve to be celebrated in the 21st century. Let’s take a look!
Videos by American Songwriter
1. Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Everyone seems to have a different answer about who invented rock and roll. But when it comes down to historical facts, Sister Rosetta Tharpe was a huge influence in early rock and roll music during the 1930s and 1940s.
She was best known as a gospel musician, but she was far from your typical gospel musician. Tharpe rocked the electric guitar, which gave a sharp and new contrast to her spiritual lyrics and vocals. They don’t call her the godmother of rock and roll for nothing. She influenced countless superstars that followed in her footsteps, from Little Richard to Johnny Cash to Chuck Berry to Elvis Presley.
2. Ernestine “Tiny” Davis
This jazz musician was a big deal back in the early-to-mid 20th century, and she’s one of few musicians to change the world of music with her fame. Ernestine “Tiny” Davis started playing the classic trumpet as a teenager in Memphis, Tennessee. She eventually went professional and played in all-female bands in Kansas City during the 30s. By the 40s, she joined the US’s first racially integrated all-girl jazz outfit, The International Sweethearts Of Rhythm, and toured around the country.
Her trumpet skills were on another level and her vocals were distinctive and powerful for the time. After she left her band, she formed her own band called Tiny Davis And Her Hell Divers, where she would meet her life partner, Ruby Lucas. Tiny went on to become a trailblazing legend in jazz music for black women, as well as the LGBTQ+ community.
3. Peggy Seeger
Peggy Seeger doesn’t get nearly as much love as her folk singer half-brother, Pete Seeger. She’s more than worthy of a spot on our list of musicians who used their fame to change the world.
Seeger was an important voice in the 1960s folk revival movement. She was a strong activist and songwriter, and her 1979 record Different Therefore Equal is her most poignant work to serve as theme music for the women’s rights movement. “Reclaim The Night” and “I’m Gonna Be An Engineer” are just a few of her protest songs to make history and influence women in STEM.
Photo by Gilles Petard/Redferns
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