Jackson, Wanda (1937–)

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Jackson, Wanda (1937–)

American rockabilly singer. Born Wanda Lavonne Jackson in Maud, OK, Oct 20, 1937; m. Wendell Goodman.

Undisputed queen of musical genre known as rockabilly (1950s–60s), learned to play piano and guitar as a youngster and hosted a radio show on Oklahoma's station KLPR at 13; after high school, toured with Hank Thompson and his Brazos Valley Boys and with Elvis Presley, who, along with Gene Vincent of "Be-Bop-A-Lula" fame, influenced her later style; signed with Decca (1954) and had 1st hit, "You Can't Have My Love," a duet with bandleader Billy Gray; switched to Capitol (1956) and had another hit with "Let's Have a Party"; also sang "Mean Mean Man" (one of several songs she wrote), "Right or Wrong" and "In the Middle of a Heartache"; cut versions of some of her hit songs, like the explosive "Fujiyama Mama," in 3 languages; as rockabilly faded, returned to country music and with husband Wendell Goodman and her own band, The Party Timers, had a series of hits (1960s); moved into gospel (1970s).

See also Women in World History.

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