Timeline

1940 - Jackie is born on May 15th in Nashville.

1953 - At 13, Jackie comes out as trans to her mom, who is accepting and loving of her daughter. Her father does not accept her.

1959 - Fleeing oppression in the Jim Crow South, Jackie joins a carnival, which takes her to Ontario, Canada.

1960 - Jackie begins playing with Frank Motley and his Motley Crew

1961 - Now the lead singer of the group, Jackie along with Frank and the band, relocates to Toronto.

1962 - Jackie is celebrated in Canada and intermittently visits the US, touring with the band.

1963 - Her song “Any Other Way” becomes a hit, reaching #2 in some Canadian pop charts.

1965 - Nashville’s WLAC-TV presents Night Train with Jackie Shane covering, “Walking the Dog”

1966 - The Ed Sullivan Show offers Jackie a performance spot, but Jackie refuses because they would require her to present as a man.

1970 - Critics and fans compare Jackie Shane to Little Richard based on her vibrant, confident performances and musicianship.

1971 - At the height of her blossoming career, Jackie disappears.

1970s-90s - Nobody knows where to find Jackie Shane. She eludes the public eye. Little is known about her life during this time.

1990s - Jessie Shane, Jackie’s mom, falls ill. Jackie moves to Los Angeles to care for her.

1996 - After her mother’s passing, Jackie moves back to Nashville.

2000s-2010s - Jackie remains in hiding. Rumors swirl of her death. In reality, she simply quit show business. There are no public photos of her.

2017 - Lorenzo Washington and Jackie become close friends. He becomes her caretaker, driving her to the grocery store and appointments.

2017 - In her first interview in nearly 50 years, Jackie announces her plans to return to live performance.

2017 - Jackie Shane’s music is re-released as a compliation album, Any Other Way.

2019 - Jackie Shane’s re-released album is nominated for a Grammy in the Best Historical Album category.

2019 - At age 78, Jackie passes away in her sleep at her home in Nashville, where Lorenzo finds her.