‘Little Miss Dynamite’ blew up the charts when she was only 12: The story of Brenda Lee

Brenda Lee's name might not be as instantly familiar as some of the other music icons of the 1960s, but when Christmas comes to mind, her song does too. You’ll catch yourself humming along to her infectious holiday classic, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.”

When Lee, now 78, first stepped onto a stage, she was too young to drive, yet her commanding voice propelled her to “unmatched worldwide fame” as the top-performing female artist of the 1960s.

Despite standing at just 4 feet 9 inches, Lee’s powerful vocals overshadowed her petite frame, making her a beloved sensation by the time she was merely 12 years old.

Born Brenda May Tarpley in 1944, she started her journey in the late 1940s, reached stardom in the 1950s, and throughout her career—which began long before she completed grade school—she dominated the charts 55 times, earning recognition as the leading female recording artist of the 1960s.

At the young age of eight (as reported by Rolling Stone), Lee suffered the loss of her father, a construction worker, who died in a work-related accident. It was then that little Brenda, who soon adopted the last name Lee, became the primary breadwinner for her household.

Providing for her younger brother, older sister, and mother—who worked in a cotton mill—was not an obligation but something she willingly took on. She recounted her excitement at earning her first $20, knowing she could contribute to her family’s needs: “Even at that young age, I understood how much that helped us,” Lee recalled. “It put food on the table. It made a difference, and I loved doing it.”

The Atlanta-born singer, recognized as a “trailblazer of early rock and roll” by the Georgia Encyclopedia, saw her popularity soar globally throughout the 1960s.

However, despite her remarkable success, Lee remains remarkably modest, crediting those around her for their support in helping her achieve her aspirations. When asked by Christianity Today about being considered a legend, Lee humbly responded, “I don’t see myself that way!”

She elaborated, “I’m just a girl who’s been incredibly fortunate to do what I love, and there are so many people who have sacrificed and invested their time and effort in me to help make my dream a reality. So if I’m a legend, then they are, too.”

In 1956, the young singer shared the stage with country star Red Foley at the Bell Auditorium near Augusta, Georgia, where she wowed audiences with a performance of Hank Williams’ “Jambalaya.”

Soon after, she secured a spot on Foley’s Ozark Jubilee, a popular country music show, where millions of viewers were captivated by the spunky 12-year-old whose talent far exceeded her years.

That same year, Lee signed a contract with Decca Records, and the following year, she relocated to Nashville, Tennessee. Blending country with rhythm and blues—enhanced by her signature hiccup-style vocals—she produced early rockabilly hits like “BIGELOW 6-200,” “Little Jonah,” and “Let’s Jump the Broomstick.”

When asked whether she ever felt anxious performing in front of large audiences as a child, Lee replied, “Not really. No one ever told me I should be nervous. The stage always felt like home to me since I had been performing for people since I was three. It was my comfort zone.”

In 1957, she earned the nickname “Little Miss Dynamite” after recording the explosive song “Dynamite.” The following year, at just 13 years old, she released “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” which would go on to become a multi-generational holiday anthem.

“I knew it had something special,” she revealed to Rolling Stone.

In the subsequent years, she continued to climb the charts with hits like “Sweet Nuthin’s,” “All Alone Am I,” and “Fool #1.”

However, many of her songs depicted experiences she had yet to go through. Her mother prohibited dating, and by the time she graduated high school, she had not endured the heartbreak of young love.

At only 16, she sang about the pain of love in “I’m Sorry” and expressed longing in “I Want to Be Wanted.” Both became major hits, even as she remained inexperienced in romance.

When she turned 18, she met Ronnie Shacklett, the man she has now been happily married to for six decades.

Touring as a child star had its challenges. Lee celebrated her 12th birthday in Las Vegas but described to the Las Vegas Journal how lonely she sometimes felt.

“Of course, I wasn’t even allowed to walk through a casino because I was so young. So I never really saw one. They took me through the kitchen to get to the showroom. After my performance, I was escorted back the same way. Children weren’t permitted in the casino area,” she explained. “There was nothing for a kid to do in Vegas. The only fun I had was being on stage.”

Reflecting on what she missed out on, the award-winning singer admitted, “Many times, I longed to just be with my friends instead of constantly traveling.”

However, she made new friends along the way, including a little-known band that opened for her during a 1962 show in Germany. Casually, she recalled, “I spent time with John,” referring to John Lennon. “He was incredibly intelligent, sharp-witted, and kind-hearted. When I later learned that they considered themselves fans of my music, I was astonished.”

Among her notable friends was Elton John, who recalled his first time hearing her sing: “I was absolutely amazed. I had never heard anything like it.”

She also danced with Elvis Presley and had a long-standing friendship with Little Richard, whom she had known since the 1960s.

In 2019, both she and Little Richard were honored at the Governor’s Arts Awards, receiving Distinguished Artist accolades. It was Richard’s final public appearance before his passing at age 87 in May 2020.

Remembering her dear friend, Lee shared, “I had been dancing to Little Richard’s music at sock hops for years. How do you describe magic? … I didn’t grasp the lyrics or their meaning back then—I just knew that his music made me feel alive.” She continued, “I have no doubt he’s in heaven; he was such a devoted man of faith.”

Faith is a cornerstone of Lee’s life, and she attributes much of her success—both personally and professionally—to her husband, whom she wed in 1962.

The rest, she says, is in God’s hands. “He guided me when I chose my husband. I wanted someone with integrity, honesty, and love for me—someone who would protect and cherish me. And that’s exactly what I found. I can only thank God for that.”

Lee remains deeply involved in Sunday Mornin’ Country, a faith-based event that runs alongside CMA Fest and has thrived for over 40 years.

She has also influenced modern artists, including Taylor Swift, who penned a heartfelt essay in the book Women Walk the Line, How The Women in Country Music Changed Our Lives. Her piece, Rare Peer, highlights Lee’s impact as a 1950s pop sensation turned country music icon.

Although retired from performing, Lee’s legacy endures, especially during the holiday season when “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” fills the air. The beloved song has been a holiday staple for over six decades.

In 2019, the track climbed to No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, 59 years after its release. Lee told the New York Post, “It’s surreal to be shopping in a store and hear yourself singing. It’s a pretty wild feeling … It’s truly been a wonderful blessing.”

It’s remarkable how Brenda Lee continues to bring joy to fans even after all these years. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” remains a favorite, evoking warm holiday memories. What are some of your favorite moments involving Lee?