Brenda Lee’s name may not be as recognizable as some of the other music stars from the 1960s but when you think of Christmas, you’ll know her song, and start humming her catchy tune, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”
When Lee, now 78, first hit the stage, she wasn’t old enough to drive but her powerful vocals steered her “unprecedented international popularity” as the most successful female artist of the 1960s.
Lee, whose voice defied her diminutive stature at only 4 foot 9, became a fan favorite when she was only 12.
Brenda May Tarpley, born in 1944, got her start in the late 1940s, became huge in the 1950s, and over her career–that started before she left elementary school–she topped the charts 55 times, earning the title as the most successful female recording artist of the 1960s.
When Lee was only eight (according to Rolling Stone), her father, a construction worker, was killed at work and little Brenda–who then changed her last name to Lee–became the family’s primary provider.
Taking care of her younger brother, big sister, and mother–a cotton mill worker–was not a duty, but something she wanted to do. She said that she was thrilled when she made her first $20, so she could help her family: “Even at that young age, I saw that helped our life,” Lee said, adding “It put some food on the table. It helped, and I loved it.”
The Atlanta-born chanteuse, called a “pioneer of early rock and roll,” by the Georgia Encyclopedia, achieved “unprecedented international popularity in the 1960s.”
But, an incredibly humble human, Lee credits those who helped her achieve her dreams. When Christianity Today asked what she thinks about being a legend, Lee said “I don’t think of myself that way!” She continued, “I’m just a girl who’s been 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, the young girl joined country star Red Foley for a show at the Bell Auditorium near her home in Augusta, and she belted out “Jambalaya,” by Hank Williams.
She was then signed to appear on Foley’s Ozark Jubilee, a country music show, where millions of viewers fell in love with the sassy 12-year-old whose talent was developed well beyond her age.
In the same year, Lee signed with Decca Records, and the next year, she moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and fusing country with rhythm and blues–highlighted by her hiccupping vocals–she recorded early rockabilly classics like “BIGELOW 6-200,” “Little Jonah,” and “Let’s Jump the Broomstick.”
When asked if–when as a young girl–she was nervous performing in front of large crowds, she answered: “No, not really. Nobody ever told me to be nervous. The stage always felt like a hometown to me because I had been in front of people ever since I was 3 years old, singing to people. So it was a very comfortable spot for me.”
In 1957, Lee earned the nickname “Little Miss Dynamite” for her pint-sized powerhouse recording of the song “Dynamite,” and in 1958, fans heard “Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree,” a genre and generation-crossing holiday standard, released when she was only 13.
“I knew it was magical,” she told Rolling Stone.
Over the next couple of years, she charted with hits like “Sweet Nuthin’s,” “All Alone Am I,” and “Fool #1.”
Most of her songs, however, contradicted her experience as a young girl. Her mother didn’t let her date and she graduated high school not understanding the heartbreak of young love.
She was only 16 when she said “Love could be so cruel” in the song “I’m Sorry” and only 16 when she said “I want his lips to kiss me” in the song “I Want to be Wanted,” both back-to-back hits when she was still in school.
And when she turned 18, she met Ronnie Shacklett, whom she’s now been happily married to for 60 years.
Life on the road for Lee as a youngster had its difficulties. She celebrated her 12th birthday in Las Vegas and speaking with the Las Vegas Journal, Lee explained her loneliness.
“Of course, I wasn’t even allowed to walk through a casino, I was so young. So I didn’t even know what a casino looked like. They took me into the kitchen, then into the showroom. And then when my show was over, I was brought back out through the kitchen and back up to my room. Children weren’t allowed … in the casino area.” She continued, “There wasn’t anything to do in Vegas for a kid. The most fun I had was on the stage.”
Speaking on what she missed out on as a child, the award-winning Lee said, “Many times, I yearned to be with my friends rather than be out there on the road.”
Turns out she made new friends on the road, like with the music group that opened for her at a 1962 show in Germany. “I hung out with John,” she says effortlessly, speaking of John Lennon. “He was extremely intelligent, very acerbic with his jokes, just a gentle person. When I found out that they later said they were fans of my music, I was just floored.”
Jennifer Lopez’s Shocking Premiere Outfit Sparks Outrage: See the Photo That Has Fans Talking
The “Hustlers” star’s entire outfit was created by styling team Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haenn, who are famous for dressing Hollywood celebrities like Heidi Klum.
Jennifer Lopez arrived on the red carpet for the premiere of “Unstoppable,” looking stunning in a more casual outfit. However, fans were not thrilled with her styling and shared their opinions.
At the 2024 AFI Fest in Los Angeles, Lopez wore items from No. 21’s Resort 2025 collection. Her outfit included a big cream canvas jacket, a low-cut blouse, and a pink micromini skirt with a bubble hem.
Source: Getty Images
She finished her look with a brown leather belt, a small handbag, and nude platform heels from Gucci. The movie star was at the premiere of her new film, “Unstoppable,” which tells the true story of wrestler Anthony Robles.
Hairstylist Chris Appleton styled Jennifer Lopez’s highlighted brown hair with a center part, and makeup artist Scott Barnes did her makeup, giving her a smoky eye and soft pink-nude lip.
Fans had mixed feelings about Lopez’s outfit and shared their thoughts online. Some quickly criticized her heels, saying, “She should get better fitting shoes,” while another added, “With all her money, she couldn’t buy shoes that actually fit?”
Others were not impressed with her entire look, calling it “a ridiculous outfit.” Some questioned if it matched the season, stating, “This is definitely not fall fashion, and it’s not flattering. It’s giving CHICKEN LEGS, and that’s not the JLO we know.”
More fans joined in, saying they didn’t like the work done by stylists Rob Zangardi and Mariel Haenn. One fan said, “The shoes look like they don’t fit right. Sorry, I’m not liking the look.” Another agreed, “The shoes are big on her.” One user humorously remarked, “She doesn’t have the best legs, and those huge shoes make her look like a pilón.”
Others pointed out, “I’m not feeling this look. The shoes and the jacket are a no for me.” Another commented, “Sorry, but I’m not feeling her look. And what’s up with that sad face? Isn’t she promoting her own movie? Smile a little!” One user joked, “Old lady knees.”
Despite the mixed reviews, one fan praised her appearance, saying, “She looks good for 50, even if the outfit looks regular.” Another added, “She looks amazing! But the styling is way off.”
Some fans had only positive things to say about the actress’s beauty and fashion. One fan raved, “She’s the most gorgeous woman to ever exist, like you’re freaking stunning,” while another said, “Love the long hair!”
Fans celebrated her look, with one highlighting, “Those legs!!! She looks gorgeous!!” and another calling her a “Fashion Queen.”
Lopez’s fashion choices often spark public discussion. In May 2024, at the premiere of her movie “Atlas” in Mexico City, she wore a flowing chiffon gown from Chloé’s fall 2024 collection.
The gown had a plunging neckline and thigh-high slit, and she finished the look with nude heels by Elie Saab and diamond earrings by Anabela Chan.
In early October 2024, Lopez faced backlash for posing in a revealing leopard-print outfit for a magazine shoot. Some felt her bold outfit was inappropriate for a mother of two.
In one photo from the magazine, Lopez wore a bikini bottom with a cropped leopard-print jacket. She completed the look with oversized gold earrings, a chunky necklace, and black platform shoes.
Although the photos were seen as stylish by some, they drew mixed reactions from others.
One user commented, “Sorry she has kids. Put some clothes on, no one cares.” Another said, “Can she disappear for a long time? She’s definitely not someone to look up to, even for her own children.”
Critics said her outfit wasn’t classy, while others wished she would take a break to focus on her kids.
Despite the criticism, Lopez’s fans showed support, praising her confidence and fashion sense. “The styling is so good,” one fan said, while another posted, “Geez, this woman is amazing.”
Lopez’s recent reflections with comedian Niki Glaser revealed her thoughts on personal growth and life’s unpredictability.
She discussed one of her toughest times—her divorce from actor Ben Affleck over the summer. When asked if she had regrets, she said, “Not one second. But it almost took me out for good.”
Looking back, Lopez explained, “But now, I think, ‘that is exactly what I needed. Thank you, God. I’m sorry it took so long.’”
She also acknowledged that while she learned important lessons, she doesn’t have everything figured out. Now, she’s excited about being independent and said, “Yes, I’m not looking for anybody. What can I do when it’s just me?”
Despite emotional hardships, Lopez is eager to return to her career and connect with her fans. She expressed excitement about getting back on tour, showing her passion for performing.
“I can’t wait to get back out there. I have the most understanding and loving fans. Some fan bases can be spicy. Mine are just a bunch of lovers,” the singer said.
Lopez admitted it was tough to step away from the spotlight, feeling bad about disappointing people. However, she explained that she needed time for herself and her children during a difficult period.
While the challenges were hard, Lopez appreciated the chance to work on herself and thanked her supporters for understanding, promising to return to the stage soon.
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