AROUND TOWN: Wanda Jackson @ London Music Hall, Sun Oct 4th
The undisputed Queen of Rockabilly was belting them out while still in high school as part of country singer Hank Thompson’s band. Performing solo she would often share the bill with a young Elvis Presley, (yes they dated) who encouraged her to sing rockabilly. Who could say no to Elvis? So she gave it a try, signing to Capitol Records and putting out a series of hit records, including Let’s Have a Party, Fujiyama Mama and Hot Dog that Made Him Mad. True to her country roots many of her albums would include a rocking side and a country side. As the rockabilly craze became less popular, she concentrated on country and eventually country gospel.
Rediscovered during the European Rockabilly Revival of the 1980′s, she returned to her rockabilly roots encouraged by fans like Cyndi Lauper and Rosie Flores, who persuaded her to record two duets on Rosie’s Rockabilly Filly album. Launching a new career at an age when most would be retired, she started touring again, which led to her high profile album produced by the White Stripes’ Jack White.
If you caught any of her previous concerts here in town backed by London’s own Rizdales, (Wanda hit it off with the band and they have become her unofficial Ontario back-up band), her voice is as strong and rocking as ever. You can catch her third visit to town at the London Music Hall on October 4th with special guests Aaron Allen and the Small City Saints. Tickets are $30 and the show starts at 7pm