Wanda LaVonne Jackson was born on October 20, 1937, and is an American singer and songwriter.
Since the 1950s, she has recorded and released music in the genres of rock, country, and gospel. She was among the first women to have a career in rock and roll, recording a series of 1950s singles that helped give her the nickname “The Queen of Rockabilly”. She is also counted among the first female stars in the genre of country music.
Jackson began performing as a child and later had her own radio show in Oklahoma City. She was then discovered by country singer Hank Thompson, who helped her secure a recording contract with Decca Records in 1954.
At Decca, Jackson had her first hit single with the country song “You Can’t Have My Love”. She then began touring the following year with Elvis Presley.
The two briefly dated and Presley encouraged her to record in the Rockabilly style. In 1956, Jackson signed with Capitol Records where she was given full permission to record both country and Rockabilly. The label released a string of Jackson’s rock singles, including “Fujiyama Mama”, “Mean Mean Man” and the top 40 hits “Let’s Have a Party”.
Wanda Jackson in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
In 2009, Jackson was officially inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame under the category “Early Influence”. She was presented with the induction by singer-songwriter Rosanne Cash.
Following her 2009 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Jackson collaborated with musician Jack White to record the commercially successful The Party Ain’t Over.
For several years, she kept a busy touring schedule before announcing her retirement from performing in 2019. She released her final studio project in 2021.
Source: Ghanafuo.com
