gold star for USAHOF

15. Wanda Jackson

This page generously sponsored by: Nobody yet! Sponsor it on Patreon to be the first name on this list!
15. Wanda Jackson

And thus we come to the lady known as the “Queen Of Rockabilly”, and to earn that nickname she got an early start. Her dad (Tom Jackson) played in local bands; by 4, Wanda was singing with the bands and by 6, Tom had gotten her into guitar lessons. A few years later, she was ignoring classes to focus on her music. She won a contest and got her own 15 radio segment. When she was a teenager, her radio show was heard by Hall-Of-Fame inductee Hank Thompson. Thompson got her a record deal and her first big hit song while still in high school. After joining a tour with up-and-comer (and eventual 1998 Hall Of Fame inductee) Elvis Presley, Wanda started incorporating more rock-and-roll styles. When she signed a new record contract, she recorded both country and rock music. This allowed her transition to rockabilly and got a number of hits. Although her mainstream success faded out when the British Invasion came in, she got a couple more country hits after that. Then once hits dried up, she began recording Christian music. Because of her wide-ranging career success, the number of halls-of-fame she has been inducted into are numerous, including Oklahoma Hall of Fame, International Gospel Hall Of Fame and the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in 2009. But no Country Music Hall Of Fame induction yet and she would be a great selection to induct while she is still alive.

The Bullet Points

  • Eligible Since: Tuesday, 01 January 1974
  • Country of Origin: Maud, Oklahoma
  • Why they will get in: Known as the “Queen Of Rockabilly”, and thought of as one of the early female stars in the genre. Plus, being still alive at 86 may allow for a rush to try to induct her.
  • Why they won't get in: The fact she hopped around a couple genres and didn’t get a huge number of hits in the country genre specifically may prevent her somewhat.
  • Radio Career: 1954-1956, 1960-1961, 1966, 1969-1970
  • Top Twenty Hits: 9
  • Album Sales: Unknown (record keeping wasn’t great)
  • Essential Albums: I Gotta Know (From Rockin’ With Wanda, 1956)
    Let’s Have A Party (From Wanda Jackson, 1960)
    Right Or Wrong (From Right Or Wrong, 1961)
    Funnel Of Love (1961)
    In The Middle Of A Heartache (From Wonderful Wanda, 1961)
Tagged under

Comments powered by CComment