You’ve toured for nearly 60 years straight. How do you do keep it up?
I’m a party looking for a place to happen! I still love touring to this day. My life has always been exciting. Every few years, I take another turn and there’s something else waiting for me.
What do you always bring with you on the road?
There’s a lot of hurry up and wait in my life – whether it’s on an airplane or during rehearsal or waiting for bands to arrive and set up at the sound checks – so I’m never without a book.
Where did you least expect to find a fan base?
In 1985, I was invited to Sweden to record a rockabilly, country and gospel album. This agent had booked a three-week concert tour of Sweden, which is a fairly small country. I thought, Three weeks! I had no idea if I even had one fan there, but lo and behold, we started going into these auditoriums and theatres and packing them out, standing room only. So Sweden, and eventually all of Scandinavia, became my main working area for years.
What’s your pre-concert ritual?
I put on my makeup, I fix my hair and I dress up. I always say a prayer, but it’s not always the same one. I talk to God, just like I’m talking to you. I might say, “Lord, you know I don’t feel like doing this right now. I’m tired, but I want to do a good show, so I’m going to call on your strength to help me.” It always turns out great.
Do you have a favourite souvenir?
Pictures. At the moment, it’s photos of Jack White, Conan O’Brien and myself. There’s also some of my publicist, my husband – people who are dear to me, like my granddaughters and my grandson. I now have so many friends around the world that after a show I like to update my photos. I always carry them with me.
