Wanda Jackson proud to have Oklahoma City alley named for her

Posted by brandy

on July 22, 2009M at 10:05 am

wanda-jackson-rock-hall-red-carpet-ap1

Wanda Jackson (Associated Press photo)

A version of this story appears in Wednesday’s The Oklahoman.

Wanda Jackson says renamed alley fits her

Trailblazing singer Wanda Jackson has made her way through a 55-year musical career spanning three genres.

She finds it fitting that the Oklahoma City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to name a Bricktown alley honoring her Wanda Jackson Way.

“I like that very much. Whoever thought that up was great,” Jackson said with a laugh by phone Tuesday afternoon.

Known as the Queen of Rockabilly, Jackson, 71, is widely regarded as the first woman to sing rock ‘n’ roll. She tried the new style in 1956 at the urging of up-and-coming singer Elvis Presley, whom she toured with and dated. Her hits included “Let’s Have a Party,” “Mean, Mean Man” and “Fujiyama Mama.”

She started her career as a country artist, recording her first hit in that genre in 1954. She later returned to country and forged a gospel career. A perennial star in Europe and Japan, her rock career revived in the U.S. in the 1990s with the resurgence of rockabilly. She continues to perform worldwide.

“I’ve always loved Bricktown and now to have a street with my name on it there, that’s just wonderful,” she said. “Thank you, Oklahoma City, my home sweet home.”

Jackson was born in Maud in 1937, during still-tough times. Her family moved to California in search of job opportunities when she was about 5 years old. When Jackson was about 10, they returned to Oklahoma and settled in Oklahoma City. She has made her home here since.

“To be honored by the place that you love is really them showing their love for me and the fact that I did stay here. And I’ve always talked a lot about Oklahoma around the world,” she said. , adding that Maud honored her with Wanda Jackson Boulevard several years ago.

Jackson was inducted April 4 into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Mayor Mick Cornett proclaimed March 24, 2009, Wanda Jackson Day in Oklahoma City. Gov. Brad Henry in February presented her with a proclamation honoring her lifetime of musical achievements.

“It really has been my year,” she said.

She is the fourth Oklahoma music star to have a Bricktown roadway named in her honor; Country Music Hall of Famer Vince Gill, legendary guitarist Charlie Christian and Grammy-winning alt-rockers the Flaming Lips are the previous honorees.

Wanda Jackson Way is near Flaming Lips Alley. It is north and parallel with East Reno Avenue and extends from South Oklahoma Avenue to South Mickey Mantle Drive. Wendell Goodman, Jackson’s husband and manager, said an official dedication will take place in a few weeks.

With her rockabilly roots, she finds it appropriate that her way is an alley.

“I was always known as an alley cat, so that’ll work,” she said with a laugh.

-BAM

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