Brenda Lee might not be as famous as some other music stars from the 1960s, but if you think about Christmas, her song “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” will probably pop into your head, and you might even start singing along to it.
Now 78 years old, Lee began her career before she could even drive, but her amazing singing voice helped her become incredibly popular all over the world, making her the top female artist of the 1960s.
Standing at just 4 foot 9, Lee’s powerful voice amazed everyone, and she became a favorite among fans when she was only 12 years old.
Brenda May Tarpley, who was born in 1944, started her music career in the late 1940s and became really famous in the 1950s. She began singing before she even finished elementary school and ended up topping the charts 55 times, making her the most successful female recording artist of the 1960s.
When she was just eight years old, her father, who worked in construction, tragically died on the job. After that, little Brenda, who changed her last name to Lee, had to step up and help support her family.
She took care of her younger brother, her big sister, and her mom, who worked at a cotton mill. It wasn’t just a responsibility for her; she genuinely wanted to help. Brenda was excited when she earned her first $20 because it meant she could contribute to her family. She said, “Even at that young age, I saw that helped our life. It put some food on the table. It helped, and I loved it.”
Born in Atlanta, she was called a “pioneer of early rock and roll” by the Georgia Encyclopedia and gained amazing international fame in the 1960s.
Despite her success, Lee remains very humble and gives credit to those who supported her along the way. When asked about being a legend, she said, “I don’t think of myself that way!”
She added, “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.”
In 1956, she performed with country star Red Foley at the Bell Auditorium in Augusta, where she sang “Jambalaya” by Hank Williams.
She got the chance to be on Foley’s Ozark Jubilee, a popular country music show, where millions of people fell in love with the confident 12-year-old whose skills were way ahead of her age.
That same year, Lee signed a deal with Decca Records, and the following year, she moved to Nashville, Tennessee. Mixing country music with rhythm and blues, and showcasing her unique hiccuping voice, she recorded early rockabilly hits like “BIGELOW 6-200,” “Little Jonah,” and “Let’s Jump the Broomstick.”
When she was asked if she felt nervous performing in front of big crowds as a kid, she replied: “Not really. Nobody ever told me to be nervous. The stage always felt like home to me because I had been singing in front of people since I was 3 years old. So it was a really comfortable place for me.”
In 1957, Lee was given the nickname “Little Miss Dynamite” for her amazing recording of the song “Dynamite,” and in 1958, fans enjoyed “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” a holiday classic that crossed different music styles and generations, which was released when she was just 13.
She shared with Rolling Stone, “I always felt it was magical.”
In the following years, she scored hits like “Sweet Nuthin’s,” “All Alone Am I,” and “Fool #1.”
But most of her songs didn’t match her childhood experiences. Her mom didn’t allow her to date, and she finished high school without really knowing what young love felt like.
At just 16, she sang about how “love could be so cruel” in “I’m Sorry,” and also at 16, she expressed her desire for a kiss in “I Want to be Wanted.” Both songs were big hits while she was still in school.
When she turned 18, she met Ronnie Shacklett, and they have been happily married for 60 years.
Growing up on the road was tough for Lee. She celebrated her 12th birthday in Las Vegas, and when she talked to the Las Vegas Journal, she opened up about feeling lonely.
“I wasn’t even allowed to walk through a casino because I was so young. I didn’t even know what a casino looked like. They took me to the kitchen and then to the showroom. After my show, I went back through the kitchen to my room. Kids weren’t allowed in the casino area,” she explained. “There wasn’t much for a kid to do in Vegas. The best part was being on stage.”
Reflecting on her childhood, the award-winning Lee said, “A lot of times, I wished I could be with my friends instead of being on the road.”
She ended up making new friends while traveling, like the music group that opened for her at a concert in Germany back in 1962. “I spent time with John,” she casually mentions, referring to John Lennon. “He was super smart, had a sharp sense of humor, and was just a really nice guy. When I learned that they later said they liked my music, I was totally amazed.”
Who else is in her group of friends?
Elton John, who said after hearing her sing for the first time: “I was completely blown away. I don’t think I had ever heard anything like that before.”
Plus, she’s danced with Elvis Presley and has been friends with Little Richard since the 1960s.
In 2019, both of them were recognized at the Governor’s Arts Awards, receiving a Distinguished Artist award. This was Richard’s last public appearance before he passed away at 87 in May 2020.
To honor her friend, Lee wrote: “I had been dancing to Little Richard’s music at sock hops forever. How do you describe magic? … I didn’t really get the words or their meaning, but I just knew I loved how that music made me feel.” The Hall of Famer added, “I’m sure he’s in heaven; he was such a man of faith.”
Lee, who relies on her faith, credits much of her success—both in her personal life and career—to her husband, whom she married in 1962.
She believes the rest is thanks to God. “He was guiding me when I chose my husband. I wanted someone with integrity, honesty, and someone who loved me … and would protect and care for me. I found that. And I can only give credit to God.”
Lee is also a big part of Sunday Mornin’ Country, a faith-based joint event with CMA Fest, which is going strong after 40 years.
Brenda Lee is a big inspiration for many young artists, including Taylor Swift. In the book “Women Walk the Line, How The Women In Country Music Changed Our Lives,” Swift shares a personal essay about Brenda Lee, who was a famous pop singer in the 1950s and later became a country music icon. The essay is called “Rare Peer.”
Even though Lee has stopped performing, people will always love her, especially during Christmas because of her classic song “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” This song has been a holiday favorite for 65 years!
In 2019, the song reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, almost 60 years after it was first recorded. Lee mentioned to the New York Post, “It’s crazy to be shopping in a department store and hearing yourself sing at the same time. It’s pretty surreal. … It’s just been a wonderful, wonderful gift.”
Brenda Lee has given fans so much joy with her music over the years! “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” still brings back happy memories and makes me excited for the holiday season! What are some of your favorite memories of Brenda Lee?