Today is Jackie DeShannon’s birthday. I think it is fair to dedicate a few words to her today, especially to shed a little light for those who still don’t know her. Jackie is one of the most important songwriters of the 60’s, as well as a great singer. She teamed up with Sharon Sheelley, Eddie Cochran’s girlfriend, they composed for Ricky Nelson, The Fleetwoods, Brenda Lee, The Everly Brothers and many more. She composed songs alone, for The Searchers, Marianne Faithfull or The Byrds. She worked with Burt Bacharach, Jimmy Page, Randy Newman or Van Morrison. She was Elvis’s girlfriend. On The Beatles’ first tour of the U.S.A. John Lennon and Paul McCartney chose her as the opening act, that tour was magnificent for her, she had sensational reviews, her guitarist was a young man named Ry Cooder. As a result of this tour she got contacts in Europe, and traveled to England, where she was immersed in the Merseybeat fever. composed and collaborated with English bands and soloists, appearing on the Ready Steady Go! As if all the above mentioned were not enough, Jackie recorded some magnificent albums as a soloist, ranging from Rock & Roll of the 50’s, to Folk Rock, through the Garage or the R’n’B, and of course the best 60’s pop. Breakaway, Buddy (dedicated to her idol Buddy Holly), When You Walk in the Room, Needles and Pins, Put A Little Love In Your Heart, or Bette Davis Eyes (Yes, the one Kim Carnes covered) are some of her many songs, which have been covered a thousand times by other artists. For all this, and much more, you have to love this artist, who knew how to make her way into a business totally dominated by men, obtaining the respect and recognition of the entire musical world of the 60’s and 70’s, and all this without ever giving up her personal style and maintaining extraordinary quality throughout her career. Even Led Zeppelin had a song dedicated to her, Tangerine, on their Led Zeppelin album!!. Congratulations Jackie!!!
Juanmy «The Hunter»
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