Origins & Early Life

Wanda LaVonne Jackson (born October 20, 1937) is an American singer and songwriter. Since the 1950s, she has recorded and released music in the genres of rock, country and gospel. She was among the first women to have a career in rock and roll, recording a series of 1950s singles that helped give her the nickname "The Queen of Rockabilly". She is also counted among the first female stars in the genre of country music.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Jackson began performing as a child and later had her own radio show in Oklahoma City. She was then discovered by country singer Hank Thompson, who helped her secure a recording contract with Decca Records in 1954. At Decca, Jackson had her first hit single with the country song "You Can't Have My Love". She began touring the following year with Elvis Presley. The two briefly dated and Presley encouraged her to record in the rockabilly style.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1956, Jackson signed with Capitol Records where she was given full permission to record both country and rockabilly. The label released a string of Jackson's rock singles, including "Fujiyama Mama", "Mean Mean Man" and the top 40 hit "Let's Have a Party". In the 1960s, Jackson moved back to the country genre and had several charting...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Alan Turing — Historical peer (Died in 1954) (1954): Father of theoretical computer science, known for the Turing machine and codebreaking.
• A. A. Milne — Historical peer (Died in 1956) (1956): Celebrated English author, famed for Winnie-the-Pooh and children's literature.
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