Singer-songwriter Jackie DeShannon is best-known as the soulful voice behind two enduring 1960s anthems: Bacharach-David’s “What The World Needs Now Is Love” and her own “Put A Little Love In Your Heart.” A pioneering female musician, Jackie has recorded a diverse range of genres: rock, folk, R&B, country, gospel and jazz.
Her songs have been performed/recorded by Kim Carnes, Bruce Springsteen, The Temptations, Al Green & Annie Lennox, Taylor Swift, Ry Cooder, The Searchers, The Fleetwoods, The Ronettes, The Byrds, Dolly Parton, Cher, The Carpenters, Rick Nelson, Van Morrison, The Righteous Brothers, Ella Fitzgerald, Brenda Lee, Mahalia Jackson, Irma Thomas, Marianne Faithfull, The Searchers, Michael McDonald, Pam Tillis, and dozens more.
Born in Kentucky, Jackie started her career on live radio while in her teens. Her earliest recordings were rooted in rockabilly, such as her Buddy Holly tribute, "Buddy." Jackie wrote dozens of songs with Sharon Sheeley ("Dum Dum," "The Great Imposter," "Breakaway"). She has collaborated with some of the industry’s best songwriters including Randy Newman, Jack Nitzsche, Van Morrison, John Bettis and Jimmy Page.
| 1964 |
opening act for The Beatles on their first American tour |
| 1965 |
recorded "Put A Little Love In Your Heart," which she co-wrote with Randy Myers and Jimmy Holiday |
| 1968 |
released her groundbreaking LP "Laurel Canyon," one of the first albums written, conceptualized, and co-produced by a woman |
| 1982 |
Grammy Winner for Song Of The Year - "Bette Davis Eyes," co-written with Donna Weiss |
| 2004 |
reissue album “Jackie” selected by Rolling Stone magazine as one of 2004’s top ten reissue albums |
| 2008 |
Jackie’s Grammy-nominated version of Bacharach/David's “What The World Needs Now Is Love” inducted into Grammy Hall of Fame |
| 2013 |
recipient of Kentucky Music Hall of Fame Governor's Award |
| 2010 |
inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame |
| 2018 |
inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame |
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