Come and take a trip to the giddy birth of rock ‘n’ roll through the eyes of one of its pioneers — Brenda Lee. The “I’m Sorry” and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” hitmaker who shared stages with both Elvis Presley and the Beatles is a guide to those heady years in “American Masters — Brenda Lee: Rockin’ Around,” which premieres Monday on PBS.
Death toll in Gaza from the Israel-Hamas war tops 45,000 Palestinians, health officials saySurvivors seek a reckoning as FBI investigates child sex abuse in little-known Christian sectThe Afternoon WireChiefs QB Patrick Mahomes has high-ankle sprain, status for Houston remains unclear, AP source saysStage spoofs of Hallmark TV movies are Christmas gifts for theatersTrump says he will 'look at' pardon for embattled New York mayor Eric AdamsFACT FOCUS: Inspector general’s Jan.
Lee, 80, had her first hit record in 1960 at age 15 and went on to sell more than 100 million albums. In the ’60s, she earned more Hot 100 singles in the United States — 46 — than any recording artist besides the Beatles, Presley or Ray Charles. She won a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2009.Still rockin': As a singer turns 80, the Christmas song she sang as a teen is a holiday staple
The portrait that emerges is a rare one for the music industry, the story of a young woman who is protected and nurtured. Lee credits producer Owen Bradley; her manager, Dub Allbritten; and the musicians she worked with for looking out for her, treating her like a little sister. “I hear horror stories about children in show business, but I certainly didn’t have that experience, and I’m grateful for that,” says Lee. “It was like I was one of the group, and that was so important to me.”
She recorded it at age 13 in July 1958, not exactly a snowy time in the South. The air conditioner was cranked up in the recording studio and there was a Christmas tree set up to get everyone in the mood. It initially was a bigger hit abroad and later got a boost in the 1990 film “Home Alone.”
Trisha Yearwood Elvis Presley Keith Urban Pat Benatar Neil Giraldo Tanya Tucker Music Country Music Atlanta Accidents Barbara Hall Ray Charles Owen Bradley Entertainment Public Broadcasting Service Public Media Patsy Cline
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
AMERICAN MASTERS: Brenda Lee: Rockin' AroundComing Soon! Monday, Dec.16, 2024 at 10 p.m. on KPBS TV / Stream now with KPBS Passport + Encore Sunday, Dec. 22 at Noon on KPBS TV. Discover the story behind Brenda Lee and explore how her early fame and life of poverty shaped her music, including the classic “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree.
Read more »
'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' Singer Brenda Lee Reveals Song's Unlikely Beach-Side Inspiration (Exclusive)Brenda Lee shares the genesis of her perennial holiday hit 'Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree' in the new PBS documentary 'Brenda Lee: Rockin' Around'.
Read more »
Still rockin': As a singer turns 80, the Christmas song she sang as a teen is a holiday stapleBrenda Lee's memories of recording “Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree” are a little hazy now.
Read more »
As a singer turns 80, the Christmas song she sang as a teen is a holiday stapleBrenda Lee's memories of recording “Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree” are a little hazy now
Read more »
Still rockin': As a singer turns 80, the Christmas song she sang as a teen is a holiday stapleBrenda Lee's memories of recording “Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree” are a little hazy now.
Read more »
Still rockin': As a singer turns 80, the Christmas song she sang as a teen is a holiday stapleBrenda Lee's memories of recording “Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree” are a little hazy now.
Read more »