Profile of the Day: Brenda Lee

Is the song “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” on your holiday playlist? Today, the voice behind the popular Christmas song, Brenda Lee, celebrates her 80th birthday!

Image: Brenda Lee / Wikimedia Commons

Lee was born Brenda Mae Tarpley on December 11, 1944 in Atlanta, Georgia. She began singing at the age of two, earning candy and coins for singing at the local candy store, and won a singing contest at the age of 6. Her family was poor and when her father died in 1943, Lee had become the primary breadwinner of her family through her appearances at local singing events and local radio and television shows.

During the 1960s, her career skyrocketed. She had numerous hits, including “I’m Sorry,” “All Alone Am I,” and “Sweet Nothin’s.” But the best selling track of her career was the Christmas song “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” which she recorded at the age of 13. Today, the song remains a standard track for the holidays.

Explore Brenda Lee’s family tree on Geni and share how you’re related to the singer.

View Brenda Lee’s Geni Profile