History of Brenda Lee in Timeline
Brenda Lee, born Brenda Mae Tarpley, is an iconic American singer renowned for her powerful vocals and diverse repertoire spanning rockabilly, pop, country, and Christmas music. Earning the nickname "Little Miss Dynamite" after her first Billboard hit at the age of 12, Lee captivated audiences with hits like "Sweet Nothin's," "I'm Sorry," and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." This festive classic, originally recorded in 1958, made history in 2023 by topping the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, solidifying Lee's legacy as the oldest artist to achieve this feat and breaking multiple chart records.
1909: Birth of Brenda Lee's Father
Ruben Lindsey Tarpley, Brenda Lee's father, was born in 1909. He was a significant figure in Brenda's early years.
1921: Birth of Brenda Lee's Mother
Annie Grayce Yarbrough, Brenda Lee's mother, was born in 1921. She played a significant role in Brenda's early life and career.
December 11, 1944: Birth of Brenda Lee
Brenda Mae Tarpley, professionally known as Brenda Lee, was born on December 11, 1944. She would go on to become a prominent American singer known for her contributions to rockabilly, pop, country, and Christmas music.
1953: Brenda Lee Becomes Primary Breadwinner
Following her father's death in 1953, an 8-year-old Brenda Lee became the primary breadwinner for her family by singing at events and on local radio and television shows.
1953: Death of Brenda Lee's Father
In 1953, Brenda Lee's father died in a construction accident, leaving the family in a difficult situation. Brenda, at just 8 years old, soon became the primary breadwinner through her singing.
February 1955: Brenda Lee's Breakthrough
In February 1955, Brenda Lee had a breakthrough moment by performing 'Jambalaya' on stage with Red Foley, leading to wider recognition.
March 31, 1955: Network Debut on Ozark Jubilee
On March 31, 1955, Brenda Lee made her network debut on Ozark Jubilee in Springfield, Missouri, marking a significant step in her early career.
1955: Family Moves to Cincinnati
In 1955, Brenda Lee's mother remarried, and the family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. Brenda performed with Jimmie Skinner at the local record shop and on radio programs.
July 30, 1956: Decca Records Contract
On July 30, 1956, Brenda Lee signed a contract with Decca Records, and her first record was 'Jambalaya', backed with 'Bigelow 6-200'.
December 11, 1956: Brenda Lee's 12th Birthday
On December 11, 1956, Brenda Lee turned 12 years old. Despite her age, her early Decca singles credited her as 'Little Brenda Lee (9 Years Old)'.
1957: First Billboard Hit
In 1957, at the age of 12, Brenda Lee achieved her first Billboard hit, earning her the nickname 'Little Miss Dynamite'.
1957: Hit Single 'One Step at a Time'
In 1957, Brenda Lee released 'One Step at a Time', which became a hit in both the pop and country fields. This success contributed to her nickname 'Little Miss Dynamite'.
1957: Lawsuit by Brenda Lee's Mother and Manager
In 1957, Brenda Lee's mother and manager filed a lawsuit that broke her five-year contract with Ozark Jubilee, though she continued to make regular appearances on the show.
1958: Recording of 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree'
In 1958, 13-year-old Brenda Lee recorded 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree', which would later become one of her most famous songs.
1958: Recording of 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree'
In 1958, Brenda Lee recorded 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree', a song that would eventually sell over five million copies and become a holiday classic.
April 1959: First Visit to England and Appearance on "Oh Boy!"
Brenda Lee made her first trip to England in April 1959 as a last-minute replacement on the popular television show "Oh Boy!".
1959: Ray Charles' Influence
Brenda Lee's 1964 single "Is It True" was backed by a version of Ray Charles' 1959 classic "What'd I Say?" in the UK.
1959: Early UK Television Appearance and Recording of "Let's Jump the Broomstick"
Brenda Lee's career saw early popularity in the UK, marked by a television appearance in 1959. Also in 1959, she recorded "Let's Jump the Broomstick", a rockabilly song that later gained popularity in the UK.
1959: Re-release of 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree'
In 1959, 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' was re-released but did not achieve significant success until many years later.
1960: Release of 'I'm Sorry'
In 1960, Brenda Lee released 'I'm Sorry', which quickly became one of her biggest hits, reaching #1 in the US and #12 in the UK. It was her first gold single and was nominated for a Grammy Award.
1960: "Sweet Nothin's" UK Chart Success
In 1960, Brenda Lee's song "Sweet Nothin's" climbed to the No. 4 spot on the UK singles chart, marking a significant achievement in her early career.
1960: Lee's First #1 Hit
Brenda Lee achieved her first #1 hit in 1960 with the single "I Want to Be Wanted".
1960: Release of Solo Version of "Hallelujah, I Love Her So"
Brenda Lee's 1984 duet with George Jones, "Hallelujah, I Love Her So", was a reimagining of a song she originally released as a solo artist in 1960.
1960: Hit Songs and Chart Success
In 1960, Brenda Lee recorded several hit songs including 'Sweet Nothin's' and 'I Want to Be Wanted'. Her success on the pop charts continued through the mid-1960s.
1961: "Let's Jump the Broomstick" UK Chart Success
Brenda Lee's 1959 recording of "Let's Jump the Broomstick" became a hit in the UK in 1961, peaking at No. 12 on the charts, despite not charting in the United States.
April 1962: First UK Tour with Gene Vincent and Sounds Incorporated
March and April of 1962 marked Brenda Lee's first tour of the UK. She was accompanied by Gene Vincent and Sounds Incorporated as her backing band.
May 1962: UK Chart Success with "Speak to Me Pretty"
In May 1962, Brenda Lee reached No. 3 on the UK charts with "Speak to Me Pretty", marking her highest chart position in the UK. Shortly after, her song "Here Comes That Feeling" reached No. 5. Interestingly, "Here Comes That Feeling" was released as the B-side to "Everybody Loves Me But You" in the US and still managed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100.
November 1962: Brenda Lee Meets Ronnie Shacklett
Brenda Lee first met her future husband, Ronnie Shacklett, at a concert in Nashville in November 1962.
1962: Top 10 Billboard Hits
By 1962, Brenda Lee had achieved nine consecutive top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hits, setting a record for a female solo artist that remained unbroken until 1986.
1962: Performance at the Star-Club in Hamburg with the Beatles
While touring West Germany in 1962, Brenda Lee performed at the Star-Club in Hamburg. Notably, the Beatles were the opening act for her performance.
March 1963: Second UK Tour with Various Artists
In March 1963, Brenda Lee embarked on her second tour of the UK. This time, she was supported by a lineup of artists including the Bachelors, Sounds Incorporated, Tony Sheridan, and Mike Berry.
April 24, 1963: Brenda Lee Marries Ronnie Shacklett
Brenda Lee married Charles Ronald "Ronnie" Shacklett on April 24, 1963.
1963: "All Alone Am I" Chart Success in the UK
Brenda Lee's song "All Alone Am I" achieved commercial success in 1963, reaching the No. 7 spot on the UK charts, further solidifying her popularity in the region.
1963: Last Top Ten Pop Single
In 1963, Brenda Lee released 'Losing You', her last top ten single on the pop charts in the United States, besides the annual resurgence of 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' starting in 2017.
1963: Tour of Ireland and "Spotlight" Magazine Cover
In 1963, Brenda Lee expanded her touring repertoire to include Ireland. Her popularity in the region was highlighted by her appearance on the front cover of the Irish entertainment magazine "Spotlight" in April of that year.
November 2, 1964: Performance at the Royal Variety Performance
On November 2, 1964, Brenda Lee had the distinct honor of performing at the Royal Variety Performance, a prestigious event held at the London Palladium for Queen Elizabeth II.
December 1964: UK Tour with Various Artists
Following her Royal Variety Performance, Brenda Lee embarked on another tour of Britain in November and December 1964. Notable acts supporting her during this tour included Manfred Mann, Johnny Kidd & the Pirates, the John Barry Seven, Wayne Fontana & the Mindbenders, Marty Wilde, the Tornados, and Heinz Burt.
1964: "As Usual" Chart Success in the UK
Continuing her streak of UK hits, Brenda Lee's song "As Usual" climbed to the No. 5 position on the UK charts in 1964.
1964: Musical Releases and Chart Success
In 1964, Brenda Lee achieved success with songs like "As Usual" and "Coming on Strong", which charted high in the US and UK. "Is It True" also became a hit, recorded uniquely in London with contributions from musicians like Jimmy Page. Notably, the B-side for "Is It True" in the UK was a rendition of Ray Charles' "What'd I Say?".
1969: Country Hit 'Johnny One Time'
In 1969, Brenda Lee had a country hit with 'Johnny One Time', marking her return to the country music charts after a decade focused on pop.
1972: Appearance on "Hee Haw"
Brenda Lee's appearance on the variety show "Hee Haw" in 1972 proved to be a pivotal moment in her career, marking a resurgence in her popularity.
1973: Country Music Success with "Nobody Wins"
Brenda Lee re-established herself in the music industry during the early 1970s, this time as a country artist. Her song "Nobody Wins", released in 1973, reached the top five on the country charts, becoming her last song to reach the Billboard Hot 100's top 100.
1974: Country Chart Success with "Wrong Ideas", "Big Four Poster Bed", and "Sunday Sunrise"
Brenda Lee's foray into country music continued to yield success in 1974 with songs like "Wrong Ideas" and "Big Four Poster Bed". The Mark James-penned "Sunday Sunrise", also released in 1974, climbed to No. 6 on Billboard's Hot Country Singles chart.
1975: Continued Country Music Success with "Rock on Baby" and "He's My Rock"
Brenda Lee maintained her momentum in the country music scene in 1975 with two more successful releases, "Rock on Baby" and "He's My Rock".
1979: Return to the Top 10 with "Tell Me What It's Like"
After a period of moderate success, Brenda Lee returned to the top 10 of the country charts in 1979 with her song "Tell Me What It's Like".
1980: Top 10 Hits with "The Cowgirl and the Dandy" and "Broken Trust"
Brenda Lee's success continued into 1980 with two more top 10 country hits: "The Cowgirl and the Dandy" and "Broken Trust". "Broken Trust" featured backing vocals from the Oak Ridge Boys.
1982: Collaborative Album "The Winning Hand" Achieves Success
In a surprising turn of events, Brenda Lee's collaborative album "The Winning Hand", released in 1982, became a major hit. Featuring country music icons Dolly Parton, Kris Kristofferson, and Willie Nelson, the album reached the top 10 on the U.S. country albums chart.
1984: Duet with George Jones on "Hallelujah, I Love Her So"
Brenda Lee's final notable hit came in 1984 with the release of "Hallelujah, I Love Her So", a duet with the legendary George Jones. Interestingly, Lee had previously recorded and released a solo version of the song in 1960.
September 26, 1986: Brenda Lee Inducted into Atlanta Music Hall of Fame
On September 26, 1986, Brenda Lee was inducted into the Atlanta Music Hall of Fame alongside other notable artists.
1986: Madonna Equals Brenda Lee's Record
In 1986, Madonna equaled Brenda Lee's record of nine consecutive top 10 Billboard Hot 100 hits, a record Brenda had set in the early 1960s.
1990: First Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nomination
Brenda Lee received her first nomination for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990.
1992: Duet with Willy DeVille on "You'll Never Know"
In 1992, Brenda Lee collaborated with Willy DeVille on the song "You'll Never Know", which was featured on DeVille's album "Loup Garou".
1996: Sam Lovullo's Memoir Highlights Lee's "Hee Haw" Appearance
In 1996, television producer Sam Lovullo published his memoir, in which he recounted Brenda Lee's 1972 appearance on his variety show, "Hee Haw". Lovullo stated that this appearance played a key role in Lee's career comeback.
1997: Induction into Country Music Hall of Fame
Brenda Lee was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1997.
October 4, 2000: Induction of Faron Young and Charley Pride into the Country Music Hall of Fame
On October 4, 2000, Brenda Lee had the honor of inducting country music legends Faron Young and Charley Pride into the Country Music Hall of Fame, a testament to her own legacy in the genre.
2001: Second Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Nomination
Brenda Lee was nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for the second time in 2001.
2002: Publication of Autobiography "Little Miss Dynamite: The Life and Times of Brenda Lee"
Brenda Lee's autobiography, titled "Little Miss Dynamite: The Life and Times of Brenda Lee", was published in 2002 by Hyperion, offering a glimpse into her life and career.
2002: Brenda Lee Inducted into Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
In 2002, Brenda Lee was finally inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame after being nominated in previous years.
September 2006: Brenda Lee Receives Jo Meador-Walker Lifetime Achievement Award
Brenda Lee received the Jo Meador-Walker Lifetime Achievement Award from the Source Foundation in Nashville in September 2006.
2006: Death of Brenda Lee's Mother
Annie Grayce Yarbrough, Brenda Lee's mother, passed away in 2006. Her mother's life and support were vital to Brenda's success.
2007: Release of Gospel Album
Brenda Lee's most recent album, a collection of gospel music, was released in 2007. Following this release, she ceased touring and significantly reduced her performance schedule.
2008: 50 Years of "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"
In 2008, Brenda Lee's iconic holiday song, "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," celebrated its 50th anniversary as a beloved holiday standard.
February 2009: Brenda Lee Receives Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award
Brenda Lee was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Grammy Award by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences in February 2009.
2012: Billboard Modifies Recurrent Rules
Billboard modified its recurrent rules in 2012, paving the way for older songs to re-enter the charts.
2015: "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" Returns to the Charts
Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" began regularly returning to the Billboard Hot 100 in 2015 following changes to Billboard's recurrent rules.
2016: Induction of Randy Travis, Charlie Daniels, and Fred Foster into the Country Music Hall of Fame
In her continued involvement with the Country Music Hall of Fame, Brenda Lee announced the induction of Randy Travis, Charlie Daniels, and Fred Foster in 2016, solidifying their places in country music history.
2017: Annual Billboard Hot 100 Appearance
Since 2017, Brenda Lee's 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' has appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 at the end of each year, cementing its status as a holiday staple.
2017: Reappearance of 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' on Charts
Since 2017, Brenda Lee's 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' has reappeared on the Billboard Hot 100 each November-December, demonstrating its enduring popularity.
December 21, 2019: Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree Charts High
On December 21, 2019, Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" reached a new peak of #3 in the United States, fueled by streaming and digital sales.
2022: Competition at the Top
From 2019 to 2022, "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" consistently reached #2 on the charts, held back from the top spot by Mariah Carey's holiday hit.
2022: Value of $30 in 2022
In 2022, $30 from 1955 was equivalent to $334. This contextualizes the financial decision Brenda Lee made when she turned down this amount to perform with Red Foley.
November 2023: Celebrating 65 Years of "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree"
In November 2023, Brenda Lee celebrated the 65th anniversary of "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" with a new music video featuring Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood.
December 9, 2023: 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' Billboard Hot 100 Peak
As of December 9, 2023, Brenda Lee's 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' had spent 54 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 1 that year.
December 16, 2023: Brenda Lee Breaks Records with #1 Hit
On December 16, 2023, Brenda Lee, at the age of 79, became the oldest artist to top the Billboard Hot 100 with "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree."
2023: Named One of the Greatest Singers of All Time by Rolling Stone
In 2023, Brenda Lee was recognized by Rolling Stone as one of the greatest singers of all time, highlighting her lasting impact on the music industry.
2023: 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' Tops Billboard Hot 100
In 2023, Brenda Lee's 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' topped the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, making her the oldest artist ever to top the chart and setting several records.
2023: Rolling Stone Recognizes Brenda Lee
Rolling Stone included Brenda Lee in its 2023 list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time, placing her at number 161.
January 6, 2024: Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" Returns to #1
On January 6, 2024, Brenda Lee's "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" returned to the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100.