Life is still a party for Wanda Jackson
From left, Roseanne Cash, Ron Wood, Wanda Jackson and Bobby Womack perform during Jackson’s induction to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April. (Associated Press photo)
Earlier this week, I spoke to Oklahoma City singing star Wanda Jackson about the naming of an Bricktown alley in her honor. We also talked about how the 71-year-old’s career has skyrocketed since she was inducted April 4 into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The Associated Press recently spoke to the Queen of Rockabilly and First Lady of Rock ‘n’ Roll about her big year, too. The AP reporter also talked to rock hall CEO Terry Stewart about Jackson.
“Wanda was certainly a stand alone in what she did,” Stewart told the AP.
Jackson’s rockabilly/early rock ‘n’ roll hits included “Let’s Have a Party,” “Rock Your Baby” and “Fujiyama Mama.” She is widely recognized as the first woman to sing rock music. Her distinctive, sexy growling voice and form-fitting, fringed dresses (made by her mother) set her apart.
Jackson also forged successful careers in country and gospel music.
The AP story covers Jackson’s start as a teenage country singer, her well-documented relationship with Elvis Presley and her many awards.
To read it, click here.
-BAM
Wanda Jackson proud to have Oklahoma City alley named for her
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
Wanda Jackson officially gets her way
Wanda Jackson (Photo by Paul B. Southerland/The Oklahoman Archives)
Oklahoma City Council today voted unanimously to name a Bricktown alley after Oklahoma Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Wanda Jackson for her lifetime musical achievements.
The alley is north and parallel with East Reno Avenue and extends from South Oklahoma Avenue to South Mickey Mantle Drive. It is near Flaming Lips Alley, named after the Oklahoma-based alternative rock band, The Flaming Lips. Country singer Vince Gill and jazz musician Charlie Christian also have roads named after them in Bricktown.
The internationally acclaimed musician and longtime Oklahoma City resident was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 4. Mayor Mick Cornett proclaimed March 24, 2009 Wanda Jackson Day in Oklahoma City.
Jackson was born in Maud in 1937. Her family moved to California for a few years as her parents looked for job opportunities. They returned to Oklahoma when Jackson was still a girl and settled in Oklahoma City.
While attending Capitol Hill High School, Jackson won a local talent competition and was offered a 15-minute daily show on radio station KLPR. Country singer Hank Thompson heard her perform and encouraged her to record with the Brazos Valley Boys. “You Can’t Have My Love” became a national hit in 1954, when Jackson was just 17 years old.
She first recorded rock ‘n’ roll (then known as rockabilly) in 1956 at the urging of up-and-comer Elvis Presley, whom she toured with and briefly dated. She is widely considered the first woman to sing rock ‘n’ roll.
Jackson continues to tour worldwide, singing country, rockabilly and gospel. She has been nominated for two Grammys, and in 2007 was the subject of a documentary, “The Sweet Lady with the Nasty Voice.”
I spoke with Jackson today about the naming of an alley for her; read Wednesday what the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer had to say about this latest honor.
- BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on July 7
Wanda Jackson (Associated Press photo)
Today’s featured events:
TULSA – Hear Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Oklahoma native Wanda Jackson perform at 8 tonight at historic Cain’s Ballroom, 423 N Main.
The concert is a benefit for the Woody Guthrie Coalition, which organizes the annual Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, starting Wednesday in Okemah. The show also will feature special guests Ronny Elliott and Nancy Apple. Doors open at 7 p.m.
For more information, go to www.woodyguthrie.com.
OR
Collective Soul (Photo by Joseph Guay)
TULSA – Catch hitmakers Collective Soul and Gavin DeGraw as their co-headlining tour stops at 7 tonight at SpiritBank Event Center, 10441 S. Regal Blvd.
Texas band Green River Ordinance will open the show. Doors open at 6 p.m.
I’ll be attending the Collective Soul show, since they’re one of my all-time favorite bands, and I’ll let you know how they do live.
For more information, go to www.spiritbankeventcenter.com.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Wanda Jackson to pay tribute to Woody Guthrie at pre-festival show
Oklahoma native Wanda Jackson poses on the red carpet at her April induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (Associated Press photo)
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Woody Guthrie, who also was born in Oklahoma. (The Oklahoman Archives)
From Friday’s Weekend Look section of The Oklahoman.
Wanda & Woody: Rock Hall of Famer’s benefit leads into annual Woody Guthrie Folk Fest
One Rock and Roll Hall of Famer from Oklahoma will pay tribute to another Tuesday leading into the 12th annual Woody Guthrie Folk Festival.
Wanda Jackson, who was inducted in April to the rock hall, will headline a benefit concert in honor of Woody Guthrie at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Tulsa’s historic Cain’s Ballroom.
The pre-festival show will benefit the Woody Guthrie Coalition, which organizes Woody Fest yearly in the troubadour’s hometown of Okemah around his July 14 birthday.
“As one of the performers asked to be there, I am honored and happy to come sing my songs in memory of another Oklahoma Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Woody Guthrie,” Jackson said in an e-mail from Switzerland, where she was wrapping up a successful two-week tour of Europe.
“There is no other artist who has influenced the music world any more than Woody Guthrie. He certainly has my respect and admiration for his contributions.”
Musical legacy
The 12th annual Woody Guthrie Folk Festival will officially kick off at 8 p.m. Wednesday at Okemah’s historic Crystal Theatre with another benefit concert. The opening night show will feature SONiA of folk/power pop band Disappear Fear and folk-rocker Jonatha Brooke.
“Jonatha Brooke is the most recent singer-songwriter to record a CD of all-new Woody Guthrie songs that were lyrics housed in the Woody Guthrie Archives that she put her own music to,” said Woody Fest Media Chairwoman Karen Zundel. “It’s called ‘The Works’ … and she’s the first female to record an album of Woody Guthrie songs.”
The festival will continue all day Thursday-July 11 with musical performances, a children’s festival, open mike, and special events like a poetry reading, tribute to the late red dirt music great Bob Childers and new this year, songwriting workshops.
This year’s lineup includes Jimmy LaFave, Stoney LaRue, John Gorka, Ellis Paul and more. Guthrie granddaughters Annie Guthrie and Sarah Lee Guthrie, along with Sarah Lee’s husband Johnny Irion, will perform.
Another granddaughter, Anna Canoni, who works for the Woody Guthrie Archives, will make her festival debut with a special presentation and screening of the documentary “Woody Guthrie: Legacy.”
Guthrie’s younger sister, Mary Jo Guthrie Edgmon, will host July 11 her yearly pancake breakfast benefiting the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. Guthrie died of complications from Huntington’s Oct. 3, 1967, at the age of 55.
The festival will end July 12 with “Hoot for Huntington’s,” another event aiding the society’s Oklahoma chapter.
“To me it seems especially fitting when a state honors one of their own in a special way, and for Woody Guthrie what could be better than a music festival where you come to hear live bands play good music, have fun with friends and an overall happy day?” Jackson said.
Influence and inspiration
Guthrie, a prolific singer-songwriter with a gift for connecting with listeners through his ballads, children’s tunes and protest songs, was inducted posthumously into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1988 in the early influence category. Jackson, a rockabilly pioneer widely considered the first woman to sing rock ‘n’ roll, joined the hall in the same category.
Both Oklahoma artists are trailblazers who have influenced rock and country performers through the decades, said Oklahoma City singer-songwriter K.C. Clifford, who will make her Woody Fest debut Thursday.
“He has left us the best legacy of being a songwriter for the people and kind of a common man who obviously had a huge impact on folk music,” she said. “It’s amazing to be from the same place as Woody. … It’s good mojo.”
Although her folk music doesn’t overlap much with Jackson’s rockabilly sound, Clifford finds inspiration in the fellow Oklahoman’s enduring 55-year career.
“She’s certainly a fighter,” she said. “I like that. I like women who are succeeding in music and have longevity. … I think the more attention that gets brought to Oklahoma writers and musicians, the more it continues to bolster the (music) scene here.”
Going on
Woody Guthrie Folk Festival Pre-fest Benefit Concert
What: Wanda Jackson, Ronny Elliott and Nancy Apple will play a special show benefiting the Woody Guthrie Coalition at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Tulsa’s Cain’s Ballroom.
Tickets: $35 and $20, available at www.protixonline.com or by phone at (866) 977-6849.
Information: www.woodyguthrie.com.
12th annual Woody Guthrie Folk Festival
When: Wednesday through July 12.
Where: Various venues in Okemah.
What: Musical performances, children’s activities, open mike, poetry reading, documentary screening, songwriter workshops and fundraisers for the state chapter of the Huntington’s Disease Society of America.
Admission: Free except for the opening show at 8 p.m. Wednesday, featuring Jonatha Brooke and SONiA, which costs $20 for general admission or $35 for Gold Circle seating.
Parking: Free for daytime events; $10 per car evenings at the Pastures of Plenty Stage.
Information: www.woodyguthrie.com.
-BAM
Steve Ripley to narrate Oklahoma rock history radio show
Steve Ripley
The Oklahoma Historical Society, in partnership with the state’s public radio stations, is sponsoring a weekly radio show exploring the history of rock ‘n’ roll in Oklahoma.
The show is produced and narrated by noted Oklahoma recording artist and record producer Steve Ripley, according to a news release. It will begin broadcasting this weekend.
“Oklahoma Rock And Roll with Steve Ripley” is a 20-part radio series that explores the music of Oklahoma artists and songwriters and their influence on rock music.
“We will look at not just rock ‘n’ roll in Oklahoma,” said Ripley, “but also the roots of Rock and Roll such as Woody Guthrie, Bob Wills, and Charlie Christian.”
The radio show is being produced in conjunction with the Oklahoma History Center’s “Another Hot Oklahoma Night: A Rock and Roll Exhibit.”
“We gave the show a trial run on two public radio stations, KOSU at Oklahoma State University and KGOU at the University of Oklahoma,” said Dr. Bob L. Blackburn, executive director of the Oklahoma Historical Society, in the release. “The public response was overwhelmingly positive.”
Over the July 4 weekend, KOSU and KGOU will restart the show beginning with the first hour. The same show will air on KCCU at Cameron University and KWGS at the University of Tulsa.
The first two shows, “Home Sweet Oklahoma” (parts 1 and 2), are basically an Oklahoma Music Revue that sets the stage for what lies ahead in the weeks and shows to come.
Ripley guides the listener through the music of Oklahomans such as Leon Russell and J.J. Cale and their direct links to people like Dylan, Clapton and Joe Cocker. He explores the roots of rockabilly and Oklahomans such as Wanda Jackson and The Collins Kids.
“The picture starts to emerge of an art form that owes its heart to a mixture of hillbilly, gospel, blues, rhythm & blues, and jazz,” said Ripley in the release. “Interwoven are Native American and African American influences. This is America’s music.”
KOSU, Oklahoma State University, broadcasts the show at 7 p.m. Fridays. The first episode will air this week on July 3.
KOSU broadcasts on 91.7 in Stillwater and Oklahoma City, 107.5 in Tulsa and Northeast Oklahoma, and 101.9 in Okmulgee.
KCCU, Cameron University, will broadcast the first show at 9 p.m., Friday on 89.3 in Lawton and Fort Sill, 95.9 in Woodward and Northwest Oklahoma, 88.7 in Wichita Falls, 90.3 in Ardmore, 90.1 in Altus, 89.3 in Duncan, 100.1 in Chickasha and 89.1 in Weatherford, Clinton and Elk City.
KWGS, University of Tulsa, will air the first show on at 6 p.m. Sunday and broadcasts on 89.5 in Tulsa.
KGOU, University of Oklahoma, airs the show at noon Sundays and broadcasts on 106.3 in Norman, Moore and Oklahoma City.
KROU is on 105.7 in Spencer and Oklahoma City, 103.1 in Seminole, and 97.9 in Ada.
“We really appreciate the support the four university-related public radio stations have given us,” said Blackburn in the release. “This is the first time all four stations have broadcast an Oklahoma produced program on a continuing basis. This shows their support for Oklahoma history, music and programming.”
Speaking of rock ‘n’ roll history, check out BAM’s Blog on Friday to read my preview story on next week’s Woody Guthrie Folk Festival, which will kick off this year with a special benefit show featuring none other than Wanda Jackson.
-BAM
“Another Hot Oklahoma Night” opens today at the Oklahoma History Center
James Petree, Oklahoma City, gets on his knees to get a photo of the Collins Kids display at the opening of Another Hot Oklahoma Night rock ‘n’ roll history exhibit at the Oklahoma History Center today. (Photo by Doug Hoke/The Oklahoman)
While I was checking out an early screening of “Star Trek” and collecting comic books at Free Comic Book Day, my colleague George Lang was covering the grand opening of the huge exhibit “Another Hot Oklahoma Night,” which pays homage to our state’s rich rock ‘n’ roll heritage.
Local bands Mike Black and the Stingrays, The City Lives, Unmarked Cars and more performed at today’s grand opening, according to George’s Staticblog.
In addition, a VIP event on Friday night brought out Oklahoma music stars such as Wanda Jackson, The Flaming Lips, Steve Ripley and more. George and the Tulsa World’s Jennifer Chancellor covered that VIP event while I was at the Paseo Gallery Walk.
From the looks of their stories, it seems that most musicians and visitors have been raving about this exhibit, which I personally can’t wait to see.
“All of this looks like something you’d see in the Smithsonian,” said Flaming Lips manager Scott Booker at the VIP event at the center on Friday. “I was in Washington D.C. recently, and this rivals anything you’d see there.”
Click here to read what head Lip Wayne Coyne and others had to tell George about the exhibit. You can read quotes from Jackson, Ripley and more by clicking here.
And for more on the exhibit and the opening festivities, go to George’s Staticblog at blog.newsok.com/staticblog.
-BAM
What to do in Oklahoma on May 2
This Hanson display is part of the “Another Hot Oklahoma Night” rock ‘n’ rock exhibit at Oklahoma History Center. (Photo by Paul Hellstern/The Oklahoman)
Today’s featured event:
Celebrate the grand opening of the new exhibit “Another Hot Oklahoma Night,” which explores and celebrates Oklahoma’s rock ‘n’ roll history.
The grand opening is today at the Oklahoma History Center, 2401 N Laird.
From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. today, the opening will feature live music by John Moreland & the Black Gold Band, Crocodile, The City Lives, The Oh Johnny! Girls, Mike Black and & the Stingrays, Ali Harter, Unmarked Cars, Camille Harp, Wes Reynolds, The Romantic Disaster, The Gunship, Rainbows Are Free, The Undecided and All But 1.
The festivities also will include a tie-dye area, rock star makeovers, “Guitar Hero” gameplay, rock star photo ops, and costume contests to pick the best ’50s, ’60s, ’70s and ’80s outfits.
Admission is free Saturday.
If you can’t make it Saturday, regular admission is $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 students and free for children younger than 5.
Personally, I can’t wait to see this exhibit. Kudos to the Oklahoma History Center and all others involved for finally recognizing Oklahoma’s talented rockers.
To read more about the exhibit, click here to read Gene Triplett’s preview story.
For more information, call 522-0765 or go to www.AnotherHotOklahomaNight.org.
For more events, go to www.wimgo.com.
-BAM
Kings of Leon among Lollapalooza headliners
Kings of Leon
Rockers Kings of Leon, who have their roots in Oklahoma, will be among the headliners for the 2009 Lollapalooza Festival, according to Billboard.com.
The other headliners include Depeche Mode, Tool, the Killers, Jane’s Addiction and the Beastie Boys. Lou Reed, Ben Harper and Relentless7, Thievery Corporation, Snoop Dogg, and Rise Against also are among the more than 100 performers confirmed for the Aug. 7-9 event at Chicago’s Grant Park.
Many other bands and solo artists also are on the expansive lineup, including Andrew Bird, TV on the Radio, Vampire Weekend, the Decemberists, Neko Case, STS9 (Sound Tribe Sector Nine), Animal Collective, Band of Horses, Of Montreal, Arctic Monkeys, Coheed and Cambria, Ben Folds, Fleet Foxes, Silversun Pickups, Kaiser Chiefs, Bon Iver, Crystal Castles and Santigold.
According to Billboard, Lollapalooza, produced by Austin-based C3 Presents, sold out all three days last year for the first time since the festival was reborn as a weekend-long event in Chicago.
For more information, go to www.lollapalooza.com.
Kings of Leon also are featured on the cover of the April 30 issue of Rolling Stone magazine. They talk about their growing years in Oklahoma, among other topics, in the story.
According to Oklahoma Rock Newsblog, the April 30 issue is packed with Oklahoma stars, including Wanda Jackson, Samantha Crain and the Midnight Shivers and Tinted Windows.
-BAM
Rock Hall Inducts New Class
Oklahoma singer Wanda Jackson was inducted Saturday into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (Paul B. Southerland/The Oklahoman Archives photo)
The Rock Hall of Fame inducted its 2009 nominees Saturday night in a ceremony aired live on Fuse. Rosanne Cash presented Wanda Jackson, the fifth Oklahoman to join the hall. Rap pioneers Run DMC were honored by Eminem. Guitar legend Jeff Beck received his second introduction from fellow guitar god Jimmy Page. (Beck was inducted once already as a member of The Yardbirds.)
Metallica was inducted Saturday into the rock hall.
Red Hot Chili Peppers bassist Flea helped make it official for heavy metal legends Metallica. Smokey Robinson and Ronnie Wood inducted Little Anthony and the Imperials and Bobby Womack, respectively. Bill Black, DJ Fontana and Spooner Oldham also joined the hall.
-3D
