Brenda Lee: The Understated Music Icon of the 1960s
Renowned music sensation, Brenda Lee, may not ring bells as vividly as other stars from the ’60s music galaxy. However, one can’t help but hum along when her famous Christmas hit, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” comes on.
An Early Start to Stardom
At the age of 78, Lee is a living testament to the power of raw talent and resilience. She began her music journey while still in her pre-teens, her exceptional vocal prowess driving her to a scale of “unmatched global admiration.” The 4-foot-9 dynamo was adored by fans from the tender age of 12.
Born Brenda May Tarpley in 1944, Lee embarked on her music career in the late ’40s, and it hit full swing in the ’50s. Her unprecedented success can be marked by an impressive 55 chart-topping hits, earning her the distinction as the most successful female recording artist of the 1960s.
Early Challenges and Breakthroughs
When Lee was just eight, tragedy struck her family. Her father, a construction worker, died at work, thrusting young Brenda into the role of the family’s main breadwinner. She took this role with heartwarming responsibility and joy. In her words, “Even at that young age, I saw that [my earnings] helped our life, it put some food on the table. It helped, and I loved it.”
The Atlanta-born songstress, dubbed a “trailblazer of early rock and roll” by the Georgia Encyclopedia, attained “unparalleled international fame in the 1960s.”
Despite her incredible success, Lee humbly attributes her accomplishments to the many who helped her realize her dreams. As she said in an interview with Christianity Today, “I’m just a girl who’s been really blessed to be doing what I’m doing, and there’s a lot of people who’ve sweated a lot of tears and put a lot of life’s work into me to be able to have my dream. So, if I’m a legend, then they’re legends, too.”
The Rise of a Music Phenomenon
Lee’s breakthrough came in 1956 when she performed alongside country star Red Foley at the Bell Auditorium. Her powerful rendition of “Jambalaya” by Hank Williams had the crowd in awe. Shortly after, she was signed to Decca Records and relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, the heartland of country music.
Even as a young girl, Lee exhibited a surprising level of comfort on stage. When asked if performing before large crowds made her nervous, she said, “No, not really. The stage always felt like home to me because I had been singing to people ever since I was three years old.”
Her unique blend of country, rhythm and blues earned her the moniker “Little Miss Dynamite” after her explosive recording of the song “Dynamite” in 1957. The following year, she released “Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree,” a timeless festive classic that she recorded at just 13 years old.
Balancing Stardom and Childhood
Life on the road was not always smooth for the young star. Despite her radiant performances, she confessed to missing her friends and feeling lonely on tours. Nevertheless, she found solace in her music and the new friendships she forged with fellow musicians, such as John Lennon, who opened for her at a 1962 show in Germany.
Over the years, Lee built a network of esteemed friendships, including music icons like Elton John, Elvis Presley, and Little Richard. She also had a personal life to cherish, having been happily married to Ronnie Shacklett for over 60 years.
A Living Legend
Although retired from performing, Lee’s legacy lives on, especially during the festive season when her hit “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” brings cheer to listeners worldwide. The song remarkably hit No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 2019, six decades after its release.
Brenda Lee, with her soul-stirring music, remains an enduring icon. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” is a perennial favourite that fills listeners with anticipation for the holiday season. What are your cherished memories of Lee?