Lizzo's "SNL" Guitar Player, Celisse Henderson, Pays Tribute to Sister Rosetta Tharpe
Her performance was an inspired tribute.
Lizzo dazzled on her SNL debut this weekend, but fans might have noticed another source of energy and talent emanating from next to the "Truth Hurts" singer as she belted out her tunes.
That would be Celisse Henderson, who shredded on guitar as Lizzo sang.
Lizzo: Truth Hurts (Live) - SNL www.youtube.com
Henderson is a vocalist and multi-instrumentalist who is a member of the band Ghosts of the Forest. She took center stage during Lizzo's performance, adding a layer of gritty, bluesy rock to the unbelievably catchy song about getting over a man who doesn't deserve you.
Henderson styled her look and guitar after the legendary Sister Rosetta Tharpe, whose gospel and blues recordings were instrumental in shaping rock and roll. As one of the first guitarists to use distortion, she inspired many blues and rock players, and her voice and stage presence helped make her a star.
Seeing Lizzo's pristine, very 21st-century pop mixed with a tribute to one of the greatest rock and roll guitarists of all time gave scope and depth to the performance and helped make it the unforgettable showstopper that it was.
Sister Rosetta Tharpe - Up Above My Head www.youtube.com
Did you catch the reference? #sisterrosettatharpe #Lizzo #snl https://t.co/tcCBw29dlt— Celisse (@Celisse) 1577001541.0
Celisse paid tribute to Sister Rosetta Tharpe last night. She rules. Rosetta Tharpe basically INVENTED rock and r… https://t.co/Nivifb04Aq— Alex Boniello (@Alex Boniello) 1577077583.0
Welp, that just ruled. #lizzo https://t.co/xF4A72NzW3— Celisse (@Celisse) 1577000477.0
For those of you asking what was on the 🎸 strap on Saturday night, it was this... @lizzo @gucci @nbcsnl… https://t.co/8IIX3fu9Su— Celisse (@Celisse) 1577116478.0
Celisse Henderson - Stuck On You Blues | Sofar NYC www.youtube.com
Lizzo, who took to the stage covered in head-to-toe Gucci and hit stratospheric notes from start to finish, also posted a heart-warming tribute to her journey.
On the left was when I worked for liberty taxes, as a sign spinner... on the right is my @nbcsnl debut. Don’t sto… https://t.co/pZ0QR8QO3o— Feelin Good As Hell (@Feelin Good As Hell) 1577036633.0
Between Henderson's masterful guitar playing, Lizzo's unbelievable pipes and stage presence, and the dancers that lit up the stage, it was a performance to remember.
I never paid attention to or heard an @lizzo song before. Watching her and guitarist on #SNL I connected the dots.… https://t.co/6T4u45m5vI— sheldontaylor (@sheldontaylor) 1577075254.0
Lizzo's sets were highlights of Eddie Murphy's star-studded, highly acclaimed, and hilarious SNL episode, which also braided tributes to icons of the past (like Gumby, dammit) with very modern humor.
Eddie Murphy Monologue - SNL www.youtube.com
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