Jackie DeShannon

A version of "When You Walk in the Room" by Pam Tillis in 1994 topped the country charts. Lauren St John, Hardcore Toubadour: The Life and Near Death of Steve Earle, Fourth Estate, 2002 ISBN 1-84115-6116. The songs "Breakaway" recorded by Tracey Ullman in 1983 and "Put a Little Love in Your Heart" recorded by Annie Lennox and Al Green in 1988 also became huge hits. He is also the subject of a biography:. It earned DeShannon the 1982 Grammy Award for Song of the Year. Steve is the subject of a documentary film entitled Just An American Boy (http://www.popmatters.com/music/reviews/e/earlesteve-justanamericandvd.shtml), directed by Amos Poe. In 1975 with Donna Weiss, she composed "Queen of the Rodeo" and "Bette Davis Eyes" for her album New Arrangement. The song "Bette Davis Eyes" later became a worldwide Number 1 single for singer Kim Carnes in 1981. In February 2005 he recieved a Grammy Award for best contemporary folk album for the album The Revolution Starts Now.

While DeShannon hasn't produced any further Top Ten singles of her own, her songs have been covered by other artists who have in turn converted them into hits. In 2004 he was given a Lifetime Achievement Award for songwriting by the UK's BBC Radio 2. In 1973 she was invited by Van Morrison to sing on his Hard Nose the Highway album. The controversy did however manage to raise Earle's profile in the media and didn't seem to damage his record sales in the slightest. Switching to Atlantic Records in 1970 and moving to Los Angeles, DeShannon recorded the critically acclaimed albums Jackie and Your Baby Is a Lady but they failed to produce the same commercial successes of previous releases. Some critics had trouble comprehending that a songwriter is not necessarily the character they're describing and branded Earle a traitor and a Taliban supporter. The single "Love Will Find a Way" off the same album was also a moderate hit. In 2002, Earle managed to land himself in trouble by writing a song about John Walker Lindh ("John Walker's Blues" on Jerusalem) written from Lindh's perspective (lyrics (http://www.cowboylyrics.com/lyrics/earle-steve/john-walkers-blues-2206.html)).

DeShannon continued writing and recording but it wasn't until 1968 when she scored her next biggest smash single and album, both entitled Put a Little Love in Your Heart. He is also a supporter of and regular participant in the Concerts for a Landmine Free World, benefitting the Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation. She appeared in the 1967 film C'mon Let's Live a Little with Bobby Vee, as a folk singer. From 1990, Earle also worked to educate the public about, and abolish, the death penalty. In late 1965, DeShannon recorded Bacharach and David's "What the World Needs Now Is Love" and it provided her first Number 1 hit and regular appearances on television shows and club tours. Steve was named Country Artist of the year for 1986 by Rolling Stone magazine. Moving to New York, DeShannon co-wrote with Randy Newman producing such songs as "She Don't Understand Him" and "Did He Call Today Mama" as well as writing "You Have No Choice" for Delaney Bramblett. It was a critical success and sold over 300,000 copies.

When Jimmy Page recorded his first solo single for Fontana Records, DeShannon sang vocals on "Keep Moving", the B-side of "She Just Satisfies". He had to wait until 1986 before his first album Guitar Town was released. DeShannon also appeared on the television show Ready Steady Go!. However, despite his early success in gaining a job as a songwriter it was not until 1981 that he achieved a top ten cut with "When You Fall in Love" recorded by Johnny Lee. Both Page and DeShannon also wrote material for singer Marianne Faithfull including her Top Ten UK and US hit "Come and Stay with Me". Steve was one of the backing vocals on Guy's, "Desperados Waiting For A Train" together with Emmylou Harris on Guy's first album Old No 1. Staying briefly in England in 1965, DeShannon formed a songwriting partnership with Jimmy Page, which resulted in hit singles "Dream Boy" and "Don't Turn Your Back on Me". Guy was instrumental in Steve being employed as a songwriter by the Sunburry Dunbar publishing division of RCA.

Her music at this stage was heavily influenced by the American West Coast sounds and folk music. In 1975 he moved to Nashville where he met and worked with fellow Texans Guy Clark and his wife Susanna Clark. DeShannon also wrote "Don' Doubt Yourself Babe" for The Byrds debut album. There he met Townes van Zandt (who became a mentor) and other artists like Jerry Jeff Walker, Lucinda Williams and Nanci Griffith. DeShannon's biggest break came in February, 1964 when she supported The Beatles on their first US tour, and formed a touring band with guitarist Ry Cooder. He dropped out of school in 8th grade to move to Austin, Texas and learn more about the music business. She also co-starred and sang with Bobby Vinton in the teen surf movie Surf Party. He was born in Ft. Monroe, Virginia and was the eldest son of an air traffic controller.

DeShannon dated Elvis Presley and formed friendships with The Everly Brothers and Ricky Nelson. Steve Earle (born January 17, 1955) is a country musician who grew up in Schertz, Texas. During these years it was her songwriting and public profile, rather than her singing, which kept her contracted to Liberty Records. Revolution Starts Now - 2004. She recorded many other singles that encompassed teen pop, country ballads, rockabilly, gospel and Ray Charles style soul that didn't fare as well on the charts. Just An American Boy (live) - 2004. English group The Searchers later covered both songs in 1963 for success on the UK charts. Jerusalem - 2002.

In 1962, DeShannon signed with Liberty Records and recorded "Needles and Pins" and "When You Walk in the Room", with both resulting in major American hits. Side Tracks - 2002. The partnership produced hits such as "Dum Dum" and "He's the Great Imposter" for Brenda Lee and The Fleetwoods respectively. DeShannon was then commissioned to write the soundtrack for the 1961 film Splendor in the Grass. Transcendental Blues - 2000. Recording under various names such as Sherry Lee, Jackie Dee, and Jackie Shannon, she had little success however her interpretations of country songs, "Buddy" and "Trouble", gained the attention of Eddie Cochran who arranged for her to travel to California and meet singer songwriter Sharon Sheeley, who formed a writing partnership with DeShannon in 1960. The Mountain - 1999. By the age of eleven, DeShannon was already hosting her own radio program. El Corazon - 1997.

The daughter of showbusiness parents, Sandra Jean and James Erwin Myers, DeShannon was introduced to singing country tunes on a local radio show at the age of six. I Feel Alright - 1996. Jackie DeShannon was born in Hazel, Kentucky. Train A-Comin' - 1995. Record company executives at Liberty Records thought the name Sharon Myers wouldn't sell records. Shut Up And Die Like An Aviator - 1991. Sharon Myers adopted the name Jackie DeShannon, believed to be an Irish ancestor. The Hard Way - 1990.

She is one of the first female singer songwriters of the rock 'n' roll period. Copperhead Road - 1988. Jackie DeShannon, real name Sharon Lee Myers, (born August 21, 1944) is an American singer/songwriter with a string of hit song credits from the 1960s onwards. Exit 0 - 1987. The Catcher (1972) (television series). Early Tracks - 1987. C'mon Let's Live a Little (1967). Guitar Town - 1986.

Intimacy (1966). Surf Party (1964). You Know Me (2000). Come and Get Me: Best of 1958-1980 (2000) (compilation).

The Early Years (1998) (compilation). Trouble with Jackie Dee (1991). The Best of Jackie DeShannon (1991) (compilation). Good as Gold! (1990) (compilation).

What the World Needs Now Is ...: The Definitive Collection (1987) (compilation). Jackie DeShannon (1985) (compilation). Pop Princess (1981) (compilation). Together (1980) (soundtrack).

Quick Touches (1978). You're the Only Dancer (1977). The Very Best of Jackie DeShannon (1975) (compilation). New Arrangement (1975).

Your Baby Is a Lady (1974). Jackie (1972). Songs (1971). To Be Free (1970).

Put a Little Love In Your Heart (1969). Laurel Canyon (1969). Lonely Girl (1968) (compilation). What the World Needs Now Is Love (1968).

Me About You (1968). For You (1967). New Image (1967). Are You Ready for This? (1967).

C'Mon Let's Live a Little (1966) (soundtrack). You Won't Forget Me (1965) (compilation). In the Wind (1965). This Is Jackie DeShannon (1965).

Surf Party (1964) (soundtrack). Don't Turn Your Back On Me (1964). Breakin' It Up On the Beatles Tour (1964). Jackie DeShannon (1963).