Wanda Jackson

Wanda Jackson, hailed as the "Queen of Rockabilly," blazed a trail as one of the pioneering women in both country and rock 'n' roll. Discovered by country singer Hank Thompson, she signed her first recording contract with Decca Records in 1954. With her distinctive raspy vocal growl and glamorous look, she earned the moniker "the sweet lady with the nasty voice." Over her extraordinary seven-decade career, she has released more than 30 albums. Her profound impact on music was officially recognized with her induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2009.

In 1955, Jackson toured with Elvis Presley, and they briefly dated. Presley, recognizing her immense talent, encouraged her to venture into rock music. Jackson recollected to Fox News in 2017: "The thing that Elvis did for me was giving me the courage to sing this new music, like he was doing. I would tell him, 'I can't do that Elvis because I'm just a country singer! Besides, I'm a girl. I can't sing that stuff.' And he said, 'I know you could if you try.' He made me promise that I would try. I kept my promise." Jackson and Presley split in 1956 when the "King of Rock 'n' Roll" was signed by Col. Tom Parker and transitioned into a film career.

Jackson achieved huge success in Japan with her single "Fujiyama Mama," which spent six months at #1 on the Japanese chart in 1958. The song was deemed too controversial for American audiences due to its sexual nature and references to the atomic bomb. "Nobody would play it. They barely had accepted Elvis and the others, and they weren't too sure about accepting a teenage girl singing this kind of music," Jackson said. Nevertheless, the song resonated powerfully in Japan. Its popularity led to Jackson touring the country in 1959, solidifying her international acclaim.