Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Rockabilly's Wanda Jackson Hits Hall Of Fame
Listen
• 9:00
On Apr. 4, rockabilly legend Wanda Jackson will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in the Early Influence category. It's her hard head in the music business that's helped make her both a survivor and a pioneer.
Jackson's induction has been a long time coming, and her song "Rockabilly Fever" even states her case: "We called it rockabilly before they called it rock 'n' roll."
Jackson grew up wanting to sing country music, but says Elvis Presley changed her mind.
"I'm just so grateful to him for believing in me and encouraging me to stretch myself," Jackson says. "I kept saying, 'Elvis, I'm just a country singer. I can't sing like you.' He said, 'Sure you can. You need to be doing it.' "
Support for LAist comes from
Presley also took the time to explain the music business to Jackson and her father. He said that in the past, musicians always aimed for an adult audience because they bought the records. But after working with Presley for a while, Jackson saw that kids were the ones buying the music.
One of Wanda Jackson's most popular songs also gave her a reputation she didn't quite expect. "Riot in Cell Block No. 9" was based on a story that Jackson had heard about a riot in a women's prison. But so many people assumed the original was about her that the 2003 version of the song -- recorded with psychobilly band The Cramps -- took her out of the equation. Still, Jackson admits that the "wild red bull" reputation fits her music just as well.
When interviewer Liane Hansen tells Jackson that she's most attached to her songs about heartbreak and "the man doin' you wrong," Jackson says she feels the same way.
"They're fun to sing," Jackson says. "I gotta take up for us gals, you know?"
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. 9(MDA1OTI3MjQ5MDEyODUwMTE2MzM1YzNmZA004))
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity. -
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
-
The drug dealer, the last of five defendants to plead guilty to federal charges linked to the 'Friends' actor’s death, will face a maximum sentence of 65 years in prison.
-
The weather’s been a little different lately, with humidity, isolated rain and wind gusts throughout much of Southern California. What’s causing the late-summer bout of gray?
Best of LAist