Biography
Jackie Shane (May 15, 1940 – February 21, 2019) was an American soul and rhythm and blues singer born in Nashville, Tennessee, where she grew up during the Jim Crow era amid the rise of rock and roll. Influenced by her grandmother's singing and local blues performers, she developed her vocal style early, facing racism—including witnessing a brutal attack—that prompted her 1959 departure via a traveling carnival to Canada. Initially arriving in Cornwall, Ontario, she moved to Montreal in 1960, joining Frank Motley's Motley Crew as lead vocalist after performing onstage at the Esquire Show Bar, blending rock's frenetic pace with R&B's soulful energy.[1][2][3][4]
The band relocated to Toronto, where Shane became a 1960s nightclub sensation at venues like the Sapphire Tavern and Le Coq D’Or, establishing a fearless persona that openly celebrated her gender and sexuality as a pioneering transgender performer. Her signature hit 'Any Other Way' reached #2 on Toronto's CHUM charts in 1963 and #68 nationally in 1967, showcasing her refined femininity and commanding stage presence amid a vibrant scene with artists like Ronnie Hawkins and Joni Mitchell. Despite brief national fame, she largely remained a Toronto icon, recording singles with Motley before withdrawing from public life in the 1970s.[1][3][4]
Shane's legacy as a Black trans trailblazer endures, highlighted by the 2017 compilation album Any Other Way and the documentary Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story. Her authentic soulfulness and resilience against racism, homophobia, and industry challenges cemented her as an unsung hero of northern soul, influencing Toronto's sound while living openly in an era of profound risk.[2][3][5]
Fun Facts
- Frank Motley, her key collaborator, was known for playing two trumpets at once during performances.
- Shane once experienced a kidnapping in Montreal linked to mob 'protection' on St. Laurent clubs.
- She left a Nashville show mid-set with guitarist Johnny Jones and a band to drive straight to Canada, feeling unprecedented freedom upon arrival.
- Rumors of her death and murder circulated after she vanished from public view in the 1970s, resurfacing later via family audio recordings.
Musical Connections
Mentors/Influences
- Grandmother - early vocal influence through singing around the house (childhood development) [1940s-1950s]
- Little Willie John - encouraged her to leave the South (Nashville performances) [late 1950s]
- Joe Tex - emphatically urged her to pursue career outside Jim Crow South (New Era club sets) [late 1950s]
Key Collaborators
- Frank Motley - bandleader of Motley Crew, partnered for singles and Toronto shows ('Any Other Way', series of singles) [1960-1960s]
- Curley Bridges - pianist who invited her onstage initially (Esquire Show Bar performances) [1960]
- King Herbert Whitaker - saxophonist who introduced her to Motley (early Montreal gigs) [1960]
Artists Influenced
- Little Richard - traveled with during carnival period, surrounded by similar performers (side-shows and early tours) [late 1950s]
Connection Network
Discography
Albums
| Title | Release Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Confessions of a Lover | 2025-05-24 | Album |
| Live | 1967 | Album |
| Jackie Shane Live | 2015-07-01 | Album |
| Any Other Way | 2017-10-20 | Album |
| Any Other Way | 2017-10-20 | Album |
| Any Other Way | 2017-10-20 | Album |
| Soul Singles Classics | 2011-09-01 | Album |
| Live '63 | 2011-09-01 | Album |
| Live '63 | 2011-09-01 | Album |
| Live | 1967 | Album |
| Live | 1967 | Album |
Top Tracks
- Comin' Down (In My Tenement / Comin' Down)
- Any Other Way (Any Other Way / Sticks And Stones)
- In My Tenement (In My Tenement / Comin' Down)
- Don't Play That Song (Live)
- Sticks And Stones (Any Other Way / Sticks And Stones)
- Any Other Way (Live)
- Heartbreak (Confessions of a Lover)
- You Are My Sunshine
- Any Other Way (The Sue Records Story: The Sound Of Soul)
- Raindrops (Live)
External Links
References
Heard on WWOZ
jackie shane has been played 1 time on WWOZ 90.7 FM, New Orleans' jazz and heritage station.
| Date | Time | Title | Show | Spotify |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 18, 2025 | 21:12 | sticks and stones | R&Bw/ Your Cousin Dimitri |