Portrait of Wanda Jackson

Wanda Jackson

Origin: Maud, Oklahoma, USA Years: May 20, 1937

Wanda Jackson is an American singer, songwriter, and guitarist known as 'The Queen of Rockabilly' who pioneered rockabilly music for women artists. Beginning as country singer in 1954, Jackson transitioned to rock and roll and rockabilly, releasing hits like 'Fujiyama Mama,' 'Let's Have a Party,' and 'Right or Wrong.' Her energetic vocals and aggressive guitar style influenced generations of female rock and country artists including Brenda Lee, Dolly Parton, and Sheryl Crow. A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and Grammy-nominated performer, Jackson continued performing and recording into 2010s. Her songs have sold over 5 million copies worldwide, making her one of most successful female rockabilly artists of all time.

RockabillyRock and RollCountryHonky TonkRock and RollabillyCountry Rock

Discography Overview

During her recording career from 1954 to 2019, Jackson released over 100 songs across Capitol, Decca, and other labels, with over 30 charting on Billboard's country and pop charts. Her Capitol Records catalog (1954-1963) produced rockabilly classics like 'Fujiyama Mama' (1957) and 'Let's Have a Party' (1960), while her country period (1960s-1970s) included hits like 'Right or Wrong' (1961) and 'The Box It Came In' (1966). Jackson was inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009 and Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in 2001. Her recordings have sold over 5 million copies worldwide, with 'Fujiyama Mama' becoming one of most covered rockabilly songs.

Key Albums

  • Wanda Jackson (1958)
  • There's a Party Goin' On (1959)
  • Right or Wrong (1961)
  • Wonderful Wanda (1962)
  • Country Hits (1966)
  • Encore (2006)

Key Songs

  • Fujiyama Mama
  • Let's Have a Party
  • Right or Wrong
  • Mean Mean Man
  • Spoonful of Sugar
  • Hot Dog! That Made Him Mad
  • Little Bitty Pretty One
  • Honey Bop
  • I Gotta Know
  • Stupid Cupid
  • My Big Iron Skillet

Career Timeline

  1. 1954 Began performing with Hank Thompson's band; recorded first country singles
  2. 1955 Toured with Elvis Presley; began relationship and musical influence
  3. 1956 Signed with Capitol Records; released 'I Gotta Know' and 'Honey Bop'
  4. 1957 Released 'Fujiyama Mama' and 'Hot Dog! That Made Him Mad'; breakthrough hits
  5. 1958 Released debut album 'Wanda Jackson'; established as rockabilly star
  6. 1959 Released 'There's a Party Goin' On' and 'Let's Have a Party'
  7. 1960 Released 'Stupid Cupid' and 'Little Bitty Pretty One'
  8. 1961 Released 'Right or Wrong' and 'Spoonful of Sugar'; country chart success
  9. 1962 Released 'Wonderful Wanda' album; continued rockabilly success
  10. 1963 Left Capitol Records; signed with Decca Records
  11. 1965 Converted to Christianity; began recording gospel music
  12. 1966 Released 'Country Hits' and 'The Box It Came In'
  13. 1967 Married manager Wendell Goodman; continued gospel and country recording
  14. 1970s Continued performing gospel music and occasional country recordings
  15. 1980s Returned to secular music; toured internationally
  16. 1984 Released 'Rockabilly Fever' album; comeback to rock and roll
  17. 1995 Released 'Let's Have a Party' compilation
  18. 2001 Inducted into Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame
  19. 2003 Released 'Heart Trouble' album; first secular album in decades
  20. 2006 Released 'Encore' album; collaborated with Elvis Costello
  21. 2009 Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
  22. 2011 Released 'The Party Ain't Over Yet' album; Grammy nomination
  23. 2019 Released final album 'The Way I Wanna Live'; continues performing

Influence Graph

How Wanda Jackson sits in the influence chain

Influenced

  • Brenda Lee
  • Dolly Parton
  • Sheryl Crow
  • Martina Mcbride
  • Gretchen Wilson
  • Miranda Lambert
  • Kacey Musgraves

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