Spotlight On: WANDA JACKSON
ABOUT THIS WEEK’S SHERO IN THE SPOTLIGHT:
This week’s SHEROES interview is extra special for a number of reasons. One, she is a living legend, known as the first lady and the queen of rockabilly. She is a ceiling-breaking artist who was one of the very first women to have a career in both country and in rock and roll, and is considered one of the first female country stars. And, she has also had the longest career of anyone yet featured on this show. Sometimes referred to as “the sweet lady with the nasty voice,”
Wanda Jackson was born in Maude, Oklahoma in 1937, destined to be a musician and a star. At 17, Wanda had a hit country single in 1954 before she had even graduated high school. The following year, she was touring with Elvis Presley, who encouraged her to start recording and performing rockabilly. Not only did she take his advice, Wanda also started writing and recording her own hit songs, and her signature growl, her steadfast confidence, and glamorous image made her a trailblazer for women in both country and rock and roll.
She has been Grammy nominated twice, once in 1964, and again in 1970, but it was later in life that Wanda Jackson began to get the recognition she so deserved. Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009, and given an Americana Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010, she has yet to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. From country to rockabilly, to gospel music, and back to rockabilly, Wanda Jackson is now 67 years on from that first hit single, and at 84, has just released a new album produced by Joan Jett called Encore.
Our playlist includes new music from Horsegirl, Momma, and Grace Cummings.
SHERO BIRTHDAYS:
We celebrate the SHERO birthdays of Tina Turner who turns 82 on Friday 11/26, and Janelle Monae on Wednesday 12/1!
This week’s Radio SHERO:
Jill Riley from The Current in Minneapolis joins us as our Radio SHERO this week. Her pick is Robert Johnson’s “Walking Blues” covered by a young Bonnie Raitt off of her debut album released back in 1971.