Walnut Ridge in Lawrence County, Arkansas — The American South (West South Central)
Wanda Jackson
Rock 'n Roll Highway 67
Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 3, 2021
1. Wanda Jackson Marker
Inscription.
Wanda Jackson created a sensation in rockabilly music, and on Rock 'n' Roll Highway 67. In-a music industry dominated at the time by male performers, Wanda stormed onto the scene while still a teenager.
Porky's Roof Top in Newport was among the venues Wanda played in her inaugural tour. She took the stage in her trademark white fringe dress and electrified the Jackson County crowd with her high- energy performance, not to mention her stunning good looks.
Among the other artists performing at Porky's that night was Elvis Presley. Wanda would end up touring with Elvis. and dating him for a time in the mid- 1950s.
The Oklahoma native had her own radio show on KLPR-AM while in high school. Country star Hank Thompson hιard Wanda performing on the show and invited her to perform with his band, the Brazos Valley Boys.
Signing with Decca and later Capitol Records, she was comfortable with both rockabilly and country tunes, often putting the two back-to-back on singles.
Her powerful voice belted out the tunes with energy and attitude, and she paved the way for many female artists who would follow in her footsteps.
Her first chart single was “You Can't Have My Love" in 1954, and in subsequent years she would record such songs as “I Gotta Know," "Fujiyama Mama," and "Let's Have, a Party."
She recorded several gospel albums after becoming a Christian in the 1970s, and Wanda has remained popular into the 21st Century, including the album “The Party Ain't Over” in 2011. The album climbed to number 58 on the Billboard charts, making Wanda Jackson, at age 73, the oldest artist ever to hit the album charts.
[Inset] , The Hits Keep Coming
Wanda Jackson has enjoyed a career resurgance in the 21st Century. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009, and she also produced a new album that received critical acclaim and chart success. "The Party Ain't Over," produced by popular musician Jack White, was released in 2011 and rose to number 58 on the Billboard album charts. She has continued to perform before sellout crowds all over the world.
[Photo captions] , Porky's Roof Top in Newport, pictured to the left of radio station KNBY, was among the venues played by a young Wanda Jackson on her first tour. , Wanda caught the eye of many young men, including fellow performer Elvis Presley. The two toured together and dated briefly in the mid 1950s.
Wanda Jackson created a sensation
in rockabilly music, and on Rock 'n'
Roll Highway 67. In-a music industry
dominated at the time by male performers,
Wanda stormed onto the scene while still a
teenager.
Porky's Roof Top in Newport was among
the venues Wanda played in her inaugural
tour. She took the stage in her trademark
white fringe dress and electrified the
Jackson County crowd with her high-
energy performance, not to mention her
stunning good looks.
Among the other artists performing at
Porky's that night was Elvis Presley.
Wanda would end up touring with Elvis.
and dating him for a time in the mid-
1950s.
The Oklahoma native had her own radio
show on KLPR-AM while in high school.
Country star Hank Thompson hιard
Wanda performing on the show and
invited her to perform with his band, the
Brazos Valley Boys.
Signing with Decca and later Capitol
Records, she was comfortable with
both rockabilly and country tunes, often
putting the two back-to-back on
singles.
Her powerful voice belted out
the tunes with energy and
attitude, and she paved the
way for many female artists
who would follow in her
footsteps.
Her first chart single was “You Can't Have
My Love" in 1954, and in subsequent years
she would record such songs as “I Gotta
Know," "Fujiyama Mama," and "Let's Have,
a Party."
She recorded several gospel albums after
becoming a Christian in the 1970s, and
Wanda has remained popular into the 21st
Century, including the album “The Party
Ain't Over” in 2011. The album climbed to
number 58 on the Billboard charts, making
Wanda Jackson, at age 73, the oldest artist
ever to hit the album charts.
[Inset]
The Hits Keep Coming
Wanda Jackson has enjoyed a career
resurgance in the 21st Century. She was
inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in
2009, and she also produced a new album that
received critical acclaim and chart success.
"The Party Ain't Over," produced by popular
musician Jack White, was released in 2011
and rose to number 58 on the Billboard album
charts. She has continued to perform before
sellout crowds all over the world.
[Photo captions]
Porky's Roof Top in Newport, pictured to the left of
radio station KNBY, was among the venues played
by a young Wanda Jackson on her first tour.
Wanda caught the eye of many young men, including
fellow performer Elvis Presley. The two toured together
and dated briefly in the mid 1950s.
Topics.
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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1954.
Location. 36° 4.03′ N, 90° 57.438′ W. Marker is in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, in Lawrence County. It is on SW Front Street south of West Elm Street, on the right when traveling south. Located at Guitar Walk near the Walnut Ridge Train Station. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Walnut Ridge AR 72476, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Conway Twitty (here, next to this marker); Roy Orbison (here, next to this marker); Sonny Burgess (a few steps from this marker); Billy Lee Riley (a few steps from this marker);
Wanda Jackson marker is along side the neck near the body of the guitar. The markers are arrayed around an epiphone casino shaped guitar.
Photographed by Mark Hilton, April 3, 2021
4. Guitar Walk at Cavenaugh Park
The Guitar Walk is a 115 foot long concrete guitar, complete with frets, and strings. Along the edges are interpretive markers that pay tribute to the early legends that gave birth to Rock n Roll, at venues along Rock n Roll Highway 67 that runs through the area. The free walk includes audio narration by none other than legendary Sun Studio recording artist, Sonny Burgess.
Credits. This page was last revised on April 13, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 13, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 338 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 13, 2021, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
