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, songwriter, and actress. She became famous in the 1960s for her hit songs, both as a singer and as a writer. Jackie was one of the first female singer-songwriters in the rock and roll era.
She is best known for singing "What the World Needs Now Is Love" and "Put a Little Love in Your Heart". She also wrote "When You Walk in the Room" and "Bette Davis Eyes". These songs became big hits for other artists like The Searchers and Kim Carnes. Since 2009, Jackie has also reported news about the Beatles for a radio show called Breakfast with the Beatles.
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Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Sharon Lee Myers was born in Hazel, Kentucky, in 1941. Her parents were farmers who loved music. By the time she was six, Sharon was singing country songs on a local radio show. When she was 11, she even had her own radio program!
In the early 1950s, her family moved to Illinois. They first lived in Aurora, Illinois, and then in Batavia, Illinois. While in Batavia, Sharon continued to share her musical talents.
In May 1955, when Sharon was 13, a local newspaper wrote about her singing. It mentioned she had her own Saturday morning radio show called Breakfast Melodies. The newspaper also said she had been singing for almost 11 years and had appeared on television.
In March 1956, Sharon appeared on Pee Wee King's popular Country and Western Television Show. She was a very busy young artist, performing on radio and at many live shows. She attended Batavia High School for two years before focusing on her music career.
Starting a Music Career
Sharon began recording songs under different names, like Sherry Lee, Jackie Dee, and Jackie Shannon. In 1957, she signed with a record label and changed her name to Jackie Dee. She performed her songs in big theaters with famous artists like Alan Freed.
Her country songs caught the attention of rock and roll star Eddie Cochran. He helped her meet singer-songwriter Sharon Sheeley. In 1960, Jackie and Sharon started writing songs together. They wrote hits for other singers, including "Dum Dum" for Brenda Lee.
In 1960, Jackie signed with Liberty Records. This is when she officially became Jackie DeShannon. She chose "Jackie" because it could sound like a boy's or girl's name, and her singing voice was low.
Rising to Fame
Jackie's song "Lonely Girl" was played on Chicago radio in 1960. She had more singles, and in 1963, her song "Faded Love" became her first song to enter the US Billboard Top 100 chart.
Later in 1963, she had more success with "Needles and Pins" and her own song, "When You Walk in the Room". Both songs were big hits in Canada. "Needles and Pins" and "When You Walk in the Room" later became hits for the British band The Searchers.
Jackie recorded many different types of songs, including pop, country, rockabilly, and soul. 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 teen movie Surf Party.
A big moment for Jackie came in 1964 when she toured with The Beatles on their first US tour. She also formed a band with guitarist Ry Cooder. Jackie co-wrote "Breakaway" and wrote "Don't Doubt Yourself Babe" for The Byrds' first album. Her music was influenced by the sounds of the American West Coast and folk music.
In 1965, Jackie spent time in England and wrote songs with Jimmy Page. She also wrote songs for singer Marianne Faithfull, including her hit "Come and Stay With Me".
Big Hit Songs
Jackie moved to New York City and continued writing songs. In March 1965, she recorded "What the World Needs Now Is Love" by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. This song became a huge hit, reaching No. 7 in the US and No. 1 in Canada. It led to many tours and TV appearances for Jackie.
In 1969, Jackie had another massive hit with "Put a Little Love in Your Heart". She wrote this song with her brother, Randy Myers, and Jimmy Holiday. It sold over a million copies! This song was 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.
Later Career and Achievements
In the 1970s, Jackie continued to release albums. In 1974, she released New Arrangement. On this album, she co-wrote "Bette Davis Eyes" with Donna Weiss. This song became a worldwide No. 1 hit for Kim Carnes in 1981. Jackie and Donna won a Grammy Award for Song of the Year for it in 1982.
Jackie continued to record music, releasing new albums like You Know Me in 2000 and When You Walk in the Room in 2011. In 2010, Jackie DeShannon was honored by being inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
In 2012, she wrote and recorded "For Africa, In Africa," a song about the need for clean water in Africa. She also continues to report on news about Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr for the radio show Breakfast with the Beatles.
Personal Life
Jackie DeShannon has a brother, Randy James Myers, who she sometimes wrote songs with. She dated Jimmy Page in the mid-1960s.
She married singer-songwriter and film composer Randy Edelman 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)
- To Be Free (1970)
- Songs (1971)
- Jackie (1972)
- Your Baby Is a Lady (1974)
- New Arrangement (1975)
- You're the Only Dancer (1977)
- 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)
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)
- After Dark (1969)
- 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)
See also
In Spanish: Jackie DeShannon para niños
