Fifty years ago Jessi Colter enjoyed the brightest run of her musical career.
She had her beloved husband, Waylon Jennings, by her side, a gold record of her own, and she was about to change the face of country music with an album that would be one of three she would release in 1976 alone.
As always, she had Arizona, too. Born in Phoenix in May 1943, Colter – born Mirriam Johnson; she took her stage name from her great-great-great uncle who was a member of Jesse James’ infamous outlaw gang – whether she found herself in Los Angeles or Nashville or if her personal life was up or down, Colter always found herself back in the Valley.
