Wanda Jackson, Queen of Rockabilly

Our guest this morning is Wanda Jackson.

Wanda is known to many as the Queen of Rockabilly and First Lady of Rock’n’Roll. The Oklahoma native got her start on a radio show when she was still in high school. Her discovery can be credited to Western Swing singer, Hank Thompson.  

After high school, Wanda was placed on a tour with Elvis Presley, whom she dated briefly and she cites Elvis as the one who pushed her into rockabilly. Her career continued to skyrocket through the 1960s, with several top country hits and two Grammy nominations. In the 1970s, Wanda and her husband Wendell began recording gospel music.

In the mid-1990s, Wanda returned to her rockabilly roots with several duets with rockabilly singer, Rosie Flores. In 2003, she released her first studio album since 1987 called “Heart Trouble.” The sixteen track album featured guest appearances by Elvis Costello, The Cramps and Rosie Flores and began the resurgence of her rockabilly career.

In 2009, Wanda was inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as an early influence.  In 2011, she released her 30th studio album, “The Party Ain’t Over,” under Third Man Records with White Stripes’ front man, Jack White as the producer. Justin Townes Earl produced Wanda’s 31st studio album, “Unfinished Business,” which was released in 2013.

At almost 78 years old, Wanda continues to tour the world and is set to jump into the studio later this year with fellow Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member, Joan Jett.

Wanda will be playing here in the South Bay at Saint Rocke tomorrow night, Friday, October 23.

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