Tulsa World: Wanda Jackson

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Wanda Jackson

Published: 10/30/2008 2:42 PM
Last Modified: 11/3/2008 11:40 AM

Wanda Jackson was born in Maud, Okla., to struggling, working-class parents during the Great Depression era. While in grade school, she told her daddy Tom and mother Nellie, “I’m gonna be a famous girl singer someday.”

And that “someday” turned out to be more than any schoolgirl could ever wish for.

On this page: Slide shows :: Documentaries :: The evolution of Ms. Jackson :: Live performances :: Headlines :: Audio timeline.

State song
Wanda Jackson’s “Let’s Have a Party” secured her place in history when she became the first woman to record a rock ‘n’ roll tune. The song is nominated (with nine others) as our state rock song.

Vote at tulsaworld.com/okierocksongvote through Nov. 15, 2008.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In 2005 interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Elvis Costello said of Wanda Jackson: “It’s an extraordinary situation that she is not in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. If it’s going to have any meaning, that thing, it’s got to have Wanda in it.”

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame announced recently that it finally may happen — the 71-year-old is one of nine nominees up for induction in 2009. Five of these nine 2009 nominees will be inducted: Jeff Beck, Chic, Jackson, Little Anthony and the Imperials, Metallica, Run-D.M.C., the Stooges, War and Bobby Womack.

“It has taken a lot of years for them to remember that I was the first girl to record rock ‘n’ roll in 1958. They have now, and I am very grateful,” Jackson said. Artists become eligible for induction 25 years after the release of their first record, according to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame site. Criteria include the influence and significance of the artists’ contributions to the development and perpetuation of rock ‘n’ roll.

Jackson could become the fifth Oklahoma-tied act to be inducted: Woody Guthrie (1988), Charlie Christian (1990) and Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys (1999) and The Ventures (2008).

-- Jennifer Chancellor, World Scene Writer

Link: View the official Wanda Jackson site.

Slide shows:

Listen to Wanda Jackson talk about how she got her start in music and see photos of her in her home.

See more photos of Jackson.

Documentaries

Documentary excerpt from "The Sweet Lady with the Nasty Voice," directed by Vincent Kralyevich and Joanne Fish.

Documentary excerpt about Wanda Jackson from PBS special, "Women of Rockabilly."

Interview with Jackson on "Roots of Rock and Roll" school in Port Townsed, Wash., in 2008.

The evolution of Ms. Jackson

Jackson sings her hit "Let's Have a Party" with a crowd singalong at The Hangar club in Salzburg, Austria, in 2008.

Jackson sings the encore, "Let's Have a Party," as a guest with the Collins Kids in Green Bay in 2007.

Jackson sings "Let's Have a Party" (Live, mid-late '70s).

Jackson sings "Let's Have a Party" live in 1960.

... and the original, played on 45 RPM vinyl.

Live performances

Jackson celebrates her 70th birthday at Cadillac Lounge in London, Ontario, in 2007 and performs her hit "Riot in Cellblock #9."

Jackson's first hit on Capitol Records, "I Gotta Know."

Jackson performs her classic "Fujiama Mama" in London in 2006.

Jackson performs three hits, including "Funnel of Love" in 2007 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Jackson performs "Rock Your Baby" acoustic with Rosie Flores in 1998 on the Elvis Presley Birthday Bash at the House of Blues.

A young Jackson performs "Sparklin' Brown Eyes" on "Jubilee U.S.A." in the late '50s.

Wanda Jackson, "Hard Headed Woman" on the show "Town Hall Party" in 1958.

Jackson on "Ranch Party," performing "Cool Love."

Headlines

Sass and style: Music icon Wanda Jackson earns Hall of Fame bid

Oklahoman nominated for rock hall

Top 10 for state rock song announced

Wanda Jackson film to air

Review: The Sweet Lady With the Nasty Voice

Former Elvis girlfriend rings up tribute album

Wanda Jackson tribute leads week's CDs

Rockabilly's top filly

Magic Wanda

Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame: Roy Clark, Jim Halsey, Wanda Jackson among the inductees

Wanda Jackson Festival To be Held in Maude

Wanda Jackson Comes Home // Gives Country, Rockabilly & Gospel Fans Vocal Treats

In Wanda Jackson's words, an audio timeline: An exclusive Tulsa World interview with staff reporter Jennifer Chancellor.

Childhood days, moving to California, moving to Oklahoma.

Her daddy was a musician and singer during the depression days. Her first days with a guitar and playing with her daddy as he played fiddle.

Being discovered by her idol, Hank Thompson, after a radio show in Oklahoma City.

Why Capitol Records?

In 1956: Elvis convinces her to try rock 'n' roll, and her first rockabilly song, "I Gotta Know," plus "Mean Mean Man," "Rock Your Baby," etc. and covering Little Richard and Chuck Berry and Elvis ... and how she decided to perform "Fujiama Mama"

Wanda brings out her antique guitar, talks about the biopic "Walk the Line," touring with Elvis, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Determined to make it, or "go back to pickin' cotton."

How Jackson earned the nickname "The Sweet Lady with the Nasty Voice."

Her backing bands, The Poe Cats and The Party Timers. From town hall dances to Las Vegas shows and working with Roy Clark.

Marriage, and "whose career to you follow?" She and husband and manager Wendell Jackson talk about the difficult decision.

"The last time we saw Elvis."

The question she gets asked most about Elvis: "Was he a good kisser?"

The time Carl Perkins played a show ... off stage.

From Elvis to God. Wanda Jackson and her husband and manager Wendell Goodman find Christ.

How God puts priorities where they should be.

"Staying in God's will." How gospel prepared her for her return to rock 'n' roll. And how a well-timed phone call from a man from Sweden in the 80s helped re-launch the rockabilly revolution.

Working with rockabilly fillies Rosie Flores and Pam Tillis in 1995. She talks about "being comfortable in your own skin" and with her young fans.

"Let's Have a Party" is up for the Oklahoma Rock Song. And why she thinks it oughtta win.

Her nomination in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, with added commentary from husband and manager Wendell Jackson on how the list gets winnowed down to the five final inductees. She also comments on Elvis Costello's push to get Jackson inducted.

Working on upcoming projects, rockabilly, original and looking for projects to tackle.

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