NPR

Forebears: Wanda Jackson, The Queen Of Rockabilly

A country star turned rock 'n' roll pioneer, Jackson's prolific career protested patriarchal standards of music new and old. In doing so, she paved the way for countless rock singers who followed.
Wanda Jackson is known as the Queen of Rockabilly.

When was six years old her father asked her, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" She shouted back: A barber by trade and country performer by night, Jackson's father was a supportive figure who urged Wanda to be herself and to pursue endeavors that made her happiest. He bought her an old Martin D18 guitar soon afterwards and watched as her ineffable rasp and relentless determination crafted a career

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from NPR

NPR4 min read
Who Will Pay To Replace Baltimore's Key Bridge? The Legal Battle Has Already Begun
Workers are still removing pieces of the Key Bridge from Baltimore Harbor, but the fight over who will pay to replace it has already begun. Past accidents offer some clues about how it could play out.
NPR5 min readWorld
Violence Erupts At UCLA As Protests Over Israel's War In Gaza Escalate Across The U.S.
Members of pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel groups in Los Angeles clashed, with reports of fireworks and pepper spray use. Elsewhere, universities are tearing down encampments and arresting students.
NPR3 min read
Duane Eddy, Who Put The Twang In Early Rock Guitar With 'Rebel Rouser', Dies At Age 86
He was a pioneering guitar hero whose reverberating electric sound on instrumentals such as "Rebel Rouser" and "Peter Gunn" influenced George Harrison, Bruce Springsteen and countless other musicians.

Related Books & Audiobooks