Wanda Jackson, ‘Queen of Rockabilly’, Retires From Performing

Six decades after she launched her career, Wanda Jackson has announced her retirement from performing. The "Queen of Rockabilly" shared her plans via Facebook on Tuesday (March 26).

Jackson's decision to retire from the road, the Facebook post explains, "is solely based on health and safety." She calls it "not the end, just the beginning of a new chapter."

"It has been a wild ride. Thank you all for all the years of continued fandom and support," the Facebook post reads. "Join us as we congratulate the Queen of Rockabilly on over six decades of rip roaring live performances, priceless stories and countless shimmies."

Jackson had two upcoming appearances on her calendar: on April 20 at the Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend, and at the Nashville Boogie Vintage Weekender on May 25. The Facebook post explains that these appearances have been canceled, but encourages fans to still attend the events "and keep the spirit of rockabilly alive."

Jackson, 81, first found success in the mid-1950s, when her debut single, "You Can't Have My Love," a collaboration with Billy Gray, landed in the Top 10 on the country charts. Known also as the "First Lady of Rockabilly," she was a pioneer in that genre, and charted a number of songs in country music as well.

Jackson released numerous singles throughout the 1960s and '70s, and continued to record new music in the '80s, '90s and '00s as well. In 2009, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; she is also a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, and Americana Music Association Lifetime Achievement Award winner and a National Heritage Fellowship winner.

Top 10 County Artists of the 1960s