In 1955 Elvis Presley was slowly but surely gaining a fandom around America. The singer, who was just 20-years-old at the time, met the young up-and-coming singer Wanda Jackson. Wanda has since gone on to become a worldwide renowned singer, songwriter, pianist and guitarist while pioneering the rockabilly genre. She is known as the First Lady of Rockabilly.

In a new interview, Wanda explained how she first met Elvis and engaged in a passionate romance with him.

She said she met the star in 1955 when he had a strong fanbase but was not yet a global star.

The 83-year-old explained: “I had never heard of him when we met, but we had a lot in common. We were two happy-go-lucky kids.” (Via The Independent)

Wanda and Elvis went on to tour around America for a while, building up their fame along the way while dating – and during this time the Blue Suede Shoes singer gave her something to remember him by.

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Wanda revealed: “He gave me a ring to wear around my neck.”

The singer added: “I didn’t ask him about other girlfriends. I figured what I don’t know won’t hurt me.”

Wanda also later gave details about their time together. She said: “He asked me to be his girl and I had his ring. I wore it around my neck for about a year.” (Via Fox News)

Despite their connection, the pair’s fiery relationship didn’t last very long.

Wanda revealed: “I have it! My mother made sure she held on to it for me.

“She figured I wouldn’t keep it or something. But she did. She’s got a little note in there and it says it was given to me by Elvis in 1955.”

In her latest interview, the Right Or Wrong singer added that Elvis believed in her, adding he saw a “feistiness” in her.

She said: “He told me: ‘You should try rock’n’roll. It’s simple!’ My dad and I talked it over and he said: ‘This is going to be the next big music. Kids are the ones buying the records and calling the radio stations and you need songs that appeal to them.'”

Wanda added: “I could see how crazy these kids were going over Elvis so it made sense.”

The singer went on to be inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame before receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award for Performance in 2010 at the Americana Music Honors & Awards.

She also received the Founder of the Sound award at The Ameripolitan Music Awards.

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