'Queen of Rockabilly' Wanda Jackson says her new portrait looks like it could sing

Every queen needs an official portrait.

On Wednesday, Oklahoma's own "Queen of Rockabilly" saw hers unveiled.

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Wanda Jackson, 85, became the rare living Oklahoman to have her portrait enshrined in the state Capitol during a ceremony Wednesday on the second-floor rotunda.

The painting was created by award-winning artist Tracey Harris, who worked from a photograph of the two-time Grammy nominee in her heyday in the 1950s and '60s, when Jackson blazed trails as the first female rock 'n' roll singer.

"It looks like I could just step off the canvas and sing a song for you, it's so lifelike. ... I wondered what my reaction was gonna be when I actually saw what Tracey has done with my image. Well, I wasn't quite prepared," Jackson said moments after the painting was unveiled

"I'm really kind of at a loss for words. If somebody would put it to music, I would appreciate it. Then I might could sing it."

Rock and Roll Hall of Famer honored for her trailblazing accomplishments at portrait dedication

In most cases, a person must be deceased for 10 years before their portrait can be considered for permanent installation in the state Capitol.

But Jackson in 2018 was named the state's 13th Oklahoma Cultural Treasure, making her eligible to have her portrait added to the state Capitol in her lifetime.

"There's a very high threshold to be named a Cultural Treasure. ... I don't have to explain why Wanda should be added to that cohort. It's no small feat to be among a small group of artists who have altered the landscape of music forever and given a voice to an entire generation," said Oklahoma Arts Council Executive Director Amber Sharples.

"It is no small feat that your name was regularly mentioned with Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash and Jerry Lee Lewis. But one could even argue that Wanda stands out among them for being the lone female consistently recognized among these giants."

No taxpayer dollars went into creating the portrait of Jackson, but Sharples said more than 80 donors helped make the project possible.

The literal president of the Wanda Jackson Fan Club, Oklahoma County Commissioner Brian Maughan said he has been working for about six years to have Jackson's portrait installed in the state Capitol. He praised her as a cross-genre hitmaker who achieved success in rock, country and gospel music, as well as a loyal Oklahoman and a style icon who has been designated "country music's first sex symbol" by CMT.

"The word 'legend' is often an overused cliché, but there can be no truer use of the word than when it comes to describing Wanda Jackson. Under the guidance of her father, Tom, who served as a first business manager, she famously is the first lady on the planet to have had a rock 'n' roll hit. ... Her first national tour (was) with Elvis Presley, who was also making his maiden voyage on the tour circuit," Maughan said.

Born in Maud and raised in Oklahoma City, Jackson launched her musical career while still a student at OKC's Capitol Hill High School, when country musician Hank Thompson heard her singing on the local radio station KLPR-AM.

When "You Can't Have My Love,” her 1954 duet with Thompson's bandleader, Billy Gray, cracked the top 10 on the country charts, Jackson hoped his label, Capitol Records, would sign her. But she was told that “girls don’t sell records.” Undeterred, she signed with Decca Records instead.

Jackson was just the fifth female artist to make the Billboard country music charts. But at the urging of Presley, the Oklahoma native began applying her uniquely growling voice to an early style of rock ‘n’ roll called rockabilly, leading to her reign as the "Queen of Rockabilly" and "First Lady of Rock and Roll." 

"Her fashion sense and attitude — which you can see — was directly cited with influencing the next four generations of ladies, starting with Janis Joplin, Bonnie Raitt, Cyndi Lauper, Adele and Gracee Shriver," Maughan said, indicating the up-and-coming country singer from Owasso who performed a tribute to Jackson at the ceremony.

He said Jackson has released 91 singles on 51 albums and made appearances on some 30 albums by other artists.

"From 1954 to 2012, she charted over 50 songs or albums on the secular charts — that's not even counting the gospel hits. In 2021, her final album — produced by none other than Joan Jett — charted and officially made Wanda Jackson the longest-reigning charting artist in musical history, replacing Billie Holiday," Maughan said.

Queen of Rockabilly holds court at Oklahoma Capitol ceremony

Dressed in a sequined and fringed gold jacket over a black top and pants, Jackson held court like a queen at the state Capitol Wednesday. She charmed the crowd of about 250 people who attended her portrait dedication, earning multiple standing ovations and frequently cracking up the crowd with her her sassy spirit and quick wit.

When Lt. Gov. Matt Pinnell took the stage with the words "all hail the queen," Jackson, who was seated beside the still-covered portrait, extended her arm with a cheeky grin and a royal air, prompting Pinnell to kneel and kiss her hand.

"My time as lieutenant governor can be done now," he said with a smile.

He announced during Jackson's portrait dedication that the Oklahoma Hit List Music Trail soon will move from an online-only concept to a real-world tourist attraction.

"Starting next year, we will have physical markers across the state of Oklahoma for our kings and queens," he said. "We are the best in a lot of areas that we are not bragging about enough, and I truly believe, once (visitors) come here, they will see the Hit List across our 77 counties, it then will then lead them to have the other conversations that we want."

Inside the recently refurbished state Capitol, Jackson will see her portrait, along with paintings depicting other Oklahoma Cultural Treasures, ultimately displayed on the second floor, adjacent to the governor's suite.

"(I was) that little 6-year-old girl that said when she was asked, 'What are you going to be when you grow up?,' 'I'm going to be a girl singer.' So, I took that journey ... and I've always been so proud of Oklahoma," Jackson said.

"That little girl never dreamed that her picture would be hanging in the hall ... of Cultural Treasures. But, that's right, I am one."

10 essential Wanda Jackson songs

• “Let’s Have a Party"

• "You Can't Have My Love"

• "Fujiyama Mama"

• "Funnel of Love"

• "Hard Headed Woman"

• "Mean, Mean Man"

• "Right or Wrong"

• "Thunder on the Mountain"

• "You Know I'm No Good"

• "That's What Love Is"

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Wanda Jackson honored with portrait at Oklahoma state Capitol