WANDA JACKSON TO BE INDUCTED INTO THE ROCK AND ROLL HALL OF FAME
Wanda Jackson was the first Woman to rock. A pioneer, an icon, and a living legend that continues to sell out rock venues all over the world. Her recording career began in 1954 and she was signed to Capitol Records for 18 years beginning in 1956. Elvis Presley talked her into trying the new rockabilly sound that he had mastered and the two dated while Wanda was part of the legendary package shows in the mid 1950's that often included Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, and others.
Her entire story is truly amazing. Wanda Jackson was there on the ground floor of it all. For Girls with Guitars, she was the Creation of Rock & Roll. Oddly enough, Wanda has never secured enough votes to be inducted into the genre’s prestigious Hall of Fame. For years now Jackson has received world wide publicity on the subject. Bob Dylan questioned why the Hall hadn’t inducted Wanda on an episode of his XM radio show in late 2008. Elvis Costello actually wrote a letter to the members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame voting committee encouraging Wanda’s induction.
"This is the big one," she told the Tulsa World in a recent telephone interview from her Oklahoma City home. "It's turning out to be more exciting than I thought it would be.”
"The main reason I wanted this is because the people I love have worked so hard to make this happen. I may get the award, but my husband and fans and people who have done so much for me all these years deserve all the credit."
In the 2008 documentary "The Sweet Lady with the Nasty Voice," Bruce Springsteen summed up his fascination with the legendary singer: "There's an authenticity in the voice that conjures up a world, a very distinctive place and time, that is so specifically American," Springsteen said.
Wanda Jackson is a national treasure. The ground she broke for Women in Country and Rock music is unmatched. In April she’ll be rewarded with the highest honor that any Rock and Roll artist can be given, an induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. But, the Queen will not rest. Jackson was recently asked about retirement.
"Me? Retire? Never."
www.WandaJackson.com