From:   "Dik de Heer" 
Date:  Sun Oct 20, 2002  2:00 am
Subject:  Born To Be With You : Wanda Jackson
 
WANDA JACKSON (By Shaun Mather)

Born Wanda Lavonne Jackson, 20 October 1937, Maud, Oklahoma

Although never a consistent/major hit maker in either the country or the pop
charts, Wanda Jackson is forever remembered as the Queen of Rockabilly.
Much as I love Janis Martin and Lorrie Collins, I think that for sheer energy
(and some great songs), Wanda is the one. Ronnie Self in a skirt!
Beautifully summed up by Nick Tosches when he said that one sentence she
sounded like the girl next door and the next she sounded like you could fry
an egg on her g-spot. With a package that included sexy clothes, good looks
and this incredible voice, she had the potential to be the female Elvis.
This she was in a musical sense, but somehow she failed to have anywhere
near the same success.
Her career began in 1952 when she won a local talent contest and was given
a daily show on KLPR in Oklahoma City. Country superstar Hank Thompson
heard her sing and arranged for her to record with his band, the Brazos Valley
Boys, including You Can't Have My Love, a duet with Billy Gray. It became a
hit on the Decca label. After she left school she began to play the road,
working
country and later some rock 'n' roll shows with Elvis Presley among others.
Elvis's influence soon took hold and when she signed with Capitol in 1956 she
began to cut in both the country and rockabilly veins. Her rock numbers are
revered by fans half a century later. As with all Capitol sessions, the backing

bands were top-notch with players including Joe Maphis, Buck Owens, Big Al
Downing, Skeets McDonald, and Vernon Sandusky.
Although she remained with the label for two decades, it's the first five
years or so which Shakers will forever remember her for. I Gotta Know,
Fujiyama Mama, Let's Have a Party, Hot Dog! That Made Him Mad, Tongue
Tied and Riot in Cell Block #9 are as good as it gets but by the early '60s she
was failing to sell.
Country and gospel have been her saviour in the ensuing years but now and
then she straps on the guitar, flicks the dress off her shoulders (once too
hot for the Opry!) and growls her way through Tongue Tied as only she can.
Although she has been married to Wendell Goodman for years there was a
strong rumour that she had a blistering affair with Tony Wilkinson at a
Pontins camp on the south coast!

Official website: http://www.wandajackson.com
Recommended listening : Right Or Wrong (Bear Family BCD 15629). 4 CD-set.
For those primarily interested in her rocking sides, the compilations "Queen Of
Rockabilly" (Ace 776, 30 tracks) or "Wanda Rocks" (Bear Family BCD 16631,
35 tracks, out tomorrow) will suffice.