PROGRAM #3
Fujiyama
Mamas
FEMALE ROCKABILLY ARTISTS rebelled against the traditional roles of housewives and mothers during the Fifties. World War II brought great changes to American society; many women emerged emboldened by their experiences during the war working in defense plants. We’ll profile Cordell Jackson, who toiled as a “Rosie the Riveter” in an aircraft factory before launching her own record label in 1956. We’ll also meet “Little Miss Dynamite,” Brenda Lee; Janis Martin, “The Female Elvis”; and “Rockabilly Queen” Wanda Jackson.
Wanda Jackson, one of the first women to have a career in rock ’n roll, grew up in Oklahoma and California, singing gospel in the Baptist Church and appearing on TV and radio playing country music. She was a 17 year old high school student when she recorded her first songs for Decca Records. In 1955 she started touring with Elvis Presley, who she briefly dated. Jackson earned the title “The Queen of Rockabilly” a string of rollicking songs including “Mean Mean Man” and “Fujiyama Mama.” (Publicity photo, 1956)
