The Queen of Rockabilly comes to Drive Invasion
Tuesday, September 1st, 2009Sometimes things happen that just seem right, such as the decision to bring Rockabilly legend Wanda Jackson to Drive Invasion 2009. What better way to celebrate the Sunday before Labor Day than in a hot parking lot with over 3000 of your closest friends, a slew of fancy hot rod cars, AND the “Female Elvis”? In a recent phone interview, Jackson says, “I think I played a drive in theater a few times in the 50s, and the stage was on the roof of the concession stand.”
Jackson is always a big hit at the many rockabilly revivals she participates in around the world. She sees the continued popularity of rockabilly as a unique phenomenon. “Rockabilly takes in a whole lifestyle,” she says. “It seems to take people back to a time when the music was fresh and simple, and for some reason they desire that simpler, slow paced lifestyle.” After many years as a Gospel singer, Jackson found an audience in Europe over 20 years ago that wanted her to revive her rockabilly songs. She noticed a big difference between European audiences and American audiences back then, but the gap has since closed. “I started playing rockabilly revival events in Scandinavia in 1985, and it seemed like it never died out over there like it did in the states. The Europeans were more appreciative and loyal to the music, and would ask me very detailed questions like ‘Who played lead guitar on that track?’… things I didn’t remember!” she laughs. “Now the young Americans are catching up, and paying attention to the details.”
