Life is still `a party' for rockabilly queen
Published: 07/27/09 - 4:17pm Written by Dick PryorOKLAHOMA CITY (AP) - It took Oklahoma native Wanda Jackson a long time to get inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Now that the 71-year-old Queen of Rockabilly is there she says she's busier than ever and her name is bigger than ever. During a recent break from touring the Oklahoma City native said the crowds are bigger and she's "floored" by the attention. Jackson was elected into the Rock Hall in the early influence category for helping start rockabilly - an uptempo blend of blues, country, and western swing music.
In the 1950s she was paired with an up-and-coming singer named Elvis Presley who encouraged her to try rock-and-roll. The two also dated for a while. Jackson has had some 30 hits and received two Grammy Award nominations for Best Country Vocal Performance by a Female.


