Jackie DeShannon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jackie DeShannon
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DeShannon performing at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C., May 2011
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Sharon Lee Myers |
| Born | August 21, 1941 Hazel, Kentucky, U.S. |
| Died | Error: Need valid death date (first date): year, month, day |
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| Years active | 1955–present |
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Jackie DeShannon (born Sharon Lee Myers; August 21, 1941) is an American singer and songwriter. She became famous in the 1960s for writing and singing many popular songs. She was one of the first female singer-songwriters in the early days of rock and roll music.
Jackie DeShannon is best known for singing "What the World Needs Now Is Love" and "Put a Little Love in Your Heart". She also wrote hit songs for other artists, like "When You Walk in the Room" for The Searchers and "Bette Davis Eyes" for Kim Carnes. Since 2009, she has also reported news about The Beatles for a radio show called Breakfast with the Beatles.
Contents
Early Life and Music Beginnings
Jackie DeShannon was born Sharon Lee Myers in Hazel, Kentucky. Her parents loved music and worked on a farm. She started singing country songs on local radio when she was just six years old. By age 11, she even had her own radio show!
When farm life got tough, her family moved to Aurora, Illinois, her mother's hometown. Her dad became a barber there. A year later, they moved to Batavia, Illinois. When she was 13, a local newspaper wrote about her singing talents. She even had a Saturday morning radio show called Breakfast Melodies. She also appeared on a TV show called Pee Wee King's popular Country and Western Television Show. She left high school after her second year to focus on her music career.
Starting a Music Career
Jackie began recording music using different names like Sherry Lee, Jackie Dee, and Jackie Shannon. She had some success with these early songs. In 1957, she signed with a record label and changed her name to Jackie Dee.
Later, she met rock and roll star Eddie Cochran. He helped her connect with singer-songwriter Sharon Sheeley. Jackie and Sharon became songwriting partners in 1960. They wrote popular songs like "Dum Dum" and "Heart in Hand" for Brenda Lee.
In 1960, she signed with Liberty Records and officially became Jackie DeShannon. She chose "Jackie" because it sounded like it could be a boy's or girl's name. This was because she had a low singing voice.
First Hit Songs
Jackie's song "Lonely Girl" became popular on a Chicago radio station in 1960. She had more singles, but her song "Faded Love" was her first to reach the top 100 in the U.S. in 1963.
She had more success with "Needles and Pins" and her own song "When You Walk in the Room" in 1963. Both songs were big hits in Canada. "Needles and Pins" even reached number one there! These songs later became hits for the British band The Searchers. "When You Walk in the Room" was also a country hit for Pam Tillis in 1994.
Jackie recorded many different types of songs, including teen pop, country, and rockabilly. During these years, her songwriting and public appearances kept her popular. She became friends with famous musicians like Elvis Presley, The Everly Brothers, and Ricky Nelson. She also acted and sang in the 1964 movie Surf Party.
Touring with The Beatles
A big moment for Jackie came in February 1964. She opened for The Beatles on their very first tour in the United States! She even formed a touring band with guitarist Ry Cooder.
Jackie also wrote "Breakaway" with Sharon Sheeley, which was recorded by Irma Thomas and later by Tracey Ullman. She wrote "Don't Doubt Yourself Babe" for The Byrds' first album in 1965. Her music at this time was influenced by the sounds of the American West Coast and folk music.
In 1965, Jackie spent some time in England. She wrote songs with Jimmy Page, who later became famous with the band Led Zeppelin. She also wrote "Come and Stay With Me" for singer Marianne Faithfull, which was a big hit in the UK and US.
Famous Love Songs
Jackie moved to New York City and started writing songs with Randy Newman. In March 1965, she recorded "What the World Needs Now Is Love", written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. This song became a huge hit, reaching number 7 in the U.S. and number 1 in Canada. It led to many club tours and TV appearances for Jackie. She also appeared in the 1967 movie C'mon, Let's Live a Little.
In 1969, Jackie had another smash hit with "Put a Little Love in Your Heart". She wrote this song with her brother, Randy Myers, and Jimmy Holiday. The song sold over one million copies! It was later performed at the Music for UNICEF Concert in 1979. It was also covered by Annie Lennox and Al Green in 1988, and by Dolly Parton in 1993. Another song from the same album, "Love Will Find a Way," was also a hit.
Later Career and Awards
In the 1970s, Jackie moved to Los Angeles and signed with Atlantic Records. She released albums like Jackie (1972) and Your Baby Is a Lady (1974). In 1973, she sang backup on Van Morrison's album, Hard Nose the Highway.
In 1974, Jackie released New Arrangement. On this album, she co-wrote four songs with Donna Weiss, including "Bette Davis Eyes". This song became a worldwide number 1 hit for Kim Carnes in 1981. It earned Jackie DeShannon and Donna Weiss a Grammy Award for Song of the Year in 1982!
Jackie continued to record music into the 21st century. She released You Know Me in 2000 and When You Walk in the Room in 2011, which featured new recordings of her most famous songs. On June 17, 2010, Jackie DeShannon was honored by being inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
She also wrote and recorded "For Africa, In Africa" in 2012. This song was inspired by the need for clean water in Africa. Since 2009, Jackie has been a special correspondent for the radio show Breakfast with the Beatles. She shares stories and news about the two surviving Beatles members, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr.
Personal Life
Jackie DeShannon has a brother named Randy James Myers (1947–2021), and they sometimes wrote songs together. In the mid-1960s, she was friends with Jimmy Page.
Jackie married Randy Edelman, a singer-songwriter and film composer, in 1976. They have a son named Noah, who was born in 1978.
Discography
Albums
- Jackie DeShannon (1963)
- Breakin' It Up on the Beatles Tour (1964)
- Don't Turn Your Back on Me (1964)
- This Is Jackie DeShannon (1965)
- In the Wind (1965)
- Are You Ready for This? (1966)
- New Image (1967)
- For You (1967)
- Me About You (1968)
- Laurel Canyon (1969)
- Put a Little Love in Your Heart (1969) US Billboard # 81
- To Be Free (1970)
- Songs (1971)
- Jackie (1972) US Billboard # 196
- Your Baby Is a Lady (1974)
- New Arrangement (1975)
- You're the Only Dancer (1977) US Billboard # 203
- Quick Touches (1978)
- You Know Me (2000)
- When You Walk in the Room (2011, songs newly recorded)
Soundtrack Appearances
- Surf Party (1964, 2 songs)
- C'mon, Let's Live a Little (1966, 3 songs)
- Together? (1979, 3 songs)
Compilations
- You Won't Forget Me (1965, compilation)
- What the World Needs Now Is Love (1968, compilation)
- Lonely Girl (1968, compilation)
- Great Performances (1968, compilation)
- The Very Best of Jackie DeShannon (1975, compilation)
- Pop Princess (1981, compilation)
- Jackie DeShannon (1985, compilation)
- What the World Needs Now Is ...: The Definitive Collection (1994, compilation)
- Good as Gold! (1990, compilation)
- The Best of Jackie DeShannon (1991, compilation)
- Trouble with Jackie Dee (1991)
- The Early Years (1998, compilation)
- Come and Get Me: Best of... 1958–1980 (2000, compilation)
- High Coinage: The Songwriters Collection 1960–1984 (2007, compilation)
- You Won't Forget Me: The Complete Liberty Singles (Volume 1) (2009, UK compilation)
- Come and Get Me: The Complete Liberty and Imperial Singles (Volume 2) (2011, UK compilation)
- Keep Me in Mind: The Complete Imperial and Liberty Singles, Volume 3 (2012, UK compilation)
- All the Love: The Lost Atlantic Recordings (2015, previously unreleased 1971 album)
- Stone Cold Soul: The Complete Capitol Recordings (2018, compilation)
Singles
| Year | Single (A-side, B-side) Both sides from same album except where indicated |
Peak chart positions | Album | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US BB Hot 100 | US CB | US AC | CAN | CAN AC | |||
| 1956 | "I'm Crazy Darling" b/w "Baby Honey" |
— | — | — | — | — | Non-album tracks (as Sherry Lee) |
| 1957 | "I'll Be True" b/w "How Wrong I Was" |
— | — | — | — | — | Non-album tracks (as Jackie Dee) |
| 1958 | "Buddy" b/w "Strolypso Dance" |
— | — | — | — | — | |
| "Just Another Lie" b/w "Cajun Blues" |
— | — | — | — | — | Non-album tracks (as Jackie Shannon) | |
| 1959 | "Lies" b/w "Trouble" |
— | — | — | — | — | |
| 1960 | "So Warm (This Is How I Feel)" b/w "Young Girl's Prayer" (first pressings) "I Wanna Go Home" (later pressings) |
— | — | — | — | — | Non-album tracks |
| "Put My Baby Down" b/w "The Foolish One" |
— | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Teach Me" b/w "Lonely Girl" (from Lonely Girl) |
— | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1961 | "Think About You" b/w "Heaven Is Being with You" (non-album track) |
— | — | — | — | — | Lonely Girl |
| "Wish I Could Find a Boy (Just Like You)" b/w "I Won't Turn You Down" |
— | — | — | — | — | Non-album tracks | |
| "Baby (When Ya Kiss Me)" b/w "Ain't That Love" |
— | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1962 | "The Prince" b/w "I'll Drown in My Own Tears" (non-album track) |
108 | — | — | — | — | Breakin' It Up on the Beatles Tour! |
| "Just Like in the Movies" b/w "Guess Who" |
— | — | — | — | — | Non-album tracks | |
| "You Won't Forget Me" b/w "I Don't Think So Much of Myself Now" (non-album track) |
— | 104 | — | — | — | Breakin' It Up on the Beatles Tour! | |
| "Faded Love" b/w "Dancing Silhouettes" |
97 | 144 | — | — | — | Non-album tracks | |
| 1963 | "Needles and Pins" b/w "Did He Call Today, Mama?" |
84 | 58 | — | 1 | — | Breakin' It Up on the Beatles Tour! |
| "Little Yellow Roses" b/w "Oh Sweet Chariot" |
110 | 108 | — | 32 | — | Jackie DeShannon | |
| "When You Walk in the Room" b/w "Till You Say You'll Be Mine" (non-album track) |
99 | 81 | — | 26 | — | Breakin' It Up on the Beatles Tour! | |
| 1964 | "Should I Cry" b/w "I'm Gonna Be Strong" (from This Is Jackie DeShannon) cancelled single |
— | — | — | — | — | |
| "Oh Boy" b/w "I'm Looking for Someone to Love" (non-album track) |
112 | 133 | — | — | — | ||
| "Hold Your Head High" b/w "She Don't Understand Him Like I Do" |
— | — | — | — | — | ||
| "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands" b/w "It's Love Baby (24 Hours a Day)" |
— | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1965 | "What the World Needs Now Is Love" b/w "I Remember the Boy" |
7 | 8 | — | 1 | — | This Is Jackie DeShannon |
| "A Lifetime of Loneliness" b/w "Don't Turn Your Back on Me" (from In the Wind) |
66 | 72 | — | — | — | ||
| 1966 | "Come and Get Me" b/w "Splendor in the Grass" (from Me About You) |
83 | 99 | — | 82 | — | Non-album track |
| "Are You Ready for This" b/w "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" cancelled single |
— | — | — | — | — | Are You Ready for This | |
| "Windows and Doors" b/w "So Long Johnny" |
108 | 147 | — | — | — | ||
| "I Can Make It with You" b/w "To Be Myself" |
68 | 87 | — | — | — | ||
| 1967 | "Come On Down (From the Top of That Hill)" b/w "Find Me Love" (from Are You Ready for This) |
121 | 147 | — | — | — | New Image |
| "The Wishing Doll" b/w "Where Does the Sun Go" |
— | — | — | — | — | ||
| "I Haven't Got Anything Better to Do" both sides, promotional single only |
— | — | — | — | — | ||
| "It's All in the Game" b/w "Changin' My Mind" |
110 | — | — | — | — | For You | |
| 1968 | "Me About You" b/w "I Keep Wanting You" |
119 | 113 | — | — | — | Me About You |
| "Nobody's Home to Go Home to" b/w "Nicole" |
— | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Didn't Want to Have to Do It" b/w "Splendor in the Grass" cancelled single |
— | — | — | — | — | ||
| "The Weight" b/w "Splendor in the Grass" (first pressings, from Me About You) "Effervescent Blue" (later pressings, non-album track) |
55 | 35 | — | 35 | — | Laurel Canyon | |
| "Laurel Canyon" b/w "Holly Would" |
— | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1969 | "Trust Me" b/w "What Is This" |
— | — | — | — | — | Non-album tracks |
| "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" b/w "Always Together" |
4 | 4 | 2 | 12 | 9 | Put a Little Love in Your Heart | |
| "Love Will Find a Way" b/w "I Let Go Completely" |
40 | 33 | 11 | 17 | 16 | ||
| "Do You Know How Christmas Trees Are Grown" b/w "Christmas" |
— | — | — | — | — | Non-album tracks | |
| 1970 | "Brighton Hill" b/w "You Can Come to Me" (from Put a Little Love in Your Heart) |
82 | 52 | 9 | 47 | 7 | To Be Free |
| "You Keep Me Hangin' On"/"Hurt So Bad" b/w "What Was Your Day Like" |
96 | 101 | — | — | — | ||
| "It's So Nice" b/w "Mediterranean Sky" |
84 | 92 | — | — | — | ||
| 1971 | "Keep Me Warm" b/w "Salinas" |
— | — | — | — | — | Songs |
| "Stone-Cold Soul" b/w "West Virginia Mine" (from Songs) |
— | — | — | — | — | Non-album track | |
| 1972 | "Vanilla Olay" / "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" |
76 — |
95 96 |
21 38 |
54 90 |
12 — |
Jackie |
| "Paradise" b/w "I Wanna Roo You" |
110 | — | 33 | — | — | ||
| "Chains on My Soul (I Won't Try to Put Chains on Your Soul)" b/w "Peaceful in My Soul" |
— | — | — | — | — | ||
| 1973 | "Sweet Sixteen" b/w "Speak Out to Me" |
— | — | — | — | — | Non-album tracks |
| "Your Baby Is a Lady" b/w "(If You Never Have a Big Hit Record) You're Still Gonna Be My Star" |
— | — | — | — | — | Your Baby Is a Lady | |
| 1974 | "Jimmie, Just Sing Me One More Song" b/w "You've Changed" |
— | — | — | — | — | |
| 1975 | "Let the Sailors Dance" b/w "Boat to Sail" |
— | — | — | — | — | New Arrangement |
| 1976 | "All Night Desire" b/w "Fire in the City" |
— | — | — | — | — | Non-album tracks |
| 1977 | "Don't Let the Flame Burn Out" b/w "I Don't Think I Can Wait" |
68 | 70 | 20 | 81 | 4 | You're the Only Dancer |
| 1978 | "To Love Somebody" b/w "Just to Feel This Love from You" |
— | — | 44 | 94 | — | |
| "You're the Only Dancer" b/w "Tonight You're Doin' It Right" |
— | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Things We Said Today" b/w "Way Above the Angels" |
— | — | 35 | — | — | Quick Touches | |
| 1980 | "I Don't Need You Anymore" b/w "Find Love" |
86 | — | — | — | — | Together? (soundtrack) |
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | |||||||
Film and TV Appearances
Film Appearances
- Surf Party (1963)
- Intimacy (1966)
- C'mon Let's Live a Little (1967)
TV Appearances
- Hollywood A Go Go (1965)
- Hullabaloo (1965)
- My Three Sons (1967)
- The Wild Wild West (1969) (The Night of the Janus)
- The Ed Sullivan Show (1969)
- The Johnny Cash Show (1970)
- Flip Wilson Show (1970)
- The Virginian (1970)
- The Catcher (1972)
- The Midnight Special (1976)
- Later... with Jools Holland, Series 41, Episode 6, BBC TWO (2012)
Images for kids
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Jackie DeShannon 1960s.jpg
Jackie DeShannon in the 1960s
See also
In Spanish: Jackie DeShannon para niños
