Brenda Lee: Full Life Interview
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- Опубликовано: 19 мар 2021
- In this oral history Brenda Lee discusses her upbringing in the South, her early start in the music industry, and love for singing. Lee talks about the importance of education, highlighting that she was able to go to high school while working in the music industry. She delves into her positive experience working under a record label as a child in the 60s’ and shares that she always had the autonomy to make her own decisions. Lee describes touring globally, her non-stop work schedule, and double standards within the industry. She tells the story of how she met her husband and her experience as a mother while touring. Lee talks about her relationship to spirituality, how she has avoided pitfalls in her career, and meeting icons such as Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, and more. Lee stresses the importance of gratitude and family. The interview concludes with her thoughts on her role in rock history, the visibility of women in rock, and what she is most proud of.
Brenda Lee is a rockabilly, pop, and country singer, and icon. She had 47 US chart hits during the 1960s and is considered one of the founding members of rock and roll. Lee is the first woman to be inducted into both the Rock and Roll and Country Music Halls of Fame. Lee is also an author and published her autobiography Little Miss Dynamite: The Life And Times Of Brenda Lee in 2000. Lee has sold over 100 million records worldwide. She lives in Nashville with her husband.
Learn more at: WomenofRock.org
Interviewed by Tanya Pearson for the Women of Rock Oral History Project
The Women of Rock Oral History Project is a collection of digital interviews and written transcripts, housed at the Sophia Smith Collection at Smith College-one of the oldest women’s history archives in the United States. Started by Tanya Pearson in December, 2014, WOROHP documents the lives and careers of women in rock whose work and careers have been underrepresented or omitted from rock journalism and historical scholarship. With a collection of publicized and accessible primary source documents, the Women of Rock Oral History Project seeks to facilitate a more comprehensive, inclusive, and accurate cultural history.
#rock #punk #interview #music #history
Brenda Lee - “Little Miss Dynamite.” It’s crazy but I didn’t hear those 3 words in this interview. That’s who she was. 4’ 9”. My wife was 4 ft. 10. I was a paperboy when Brenda came on the scene. I fell in love with the very first song she recorded. I had a Matsushita 6 transistor pocket radio that used a 9 volt battery. Every time Brenda was on the radio - I put the radio to my ear. She deserved every good thing that came her way. Brenda was one of the few top names that didn’t get trashed like so many today. The reason was - her faith in the God above and a Mother who supported her and guided her. Brenda passed those traits on to her kids. I’m only 3 months older than Brenda but so fortunate to have grown-up with her. The interviewer of this video should be very proud to have had the pleasure of sitting in front of one of the Greatest females who has ever walked this earth. I thank RUclips for allowing this video to be shown. “” WOW “”
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A legend. She impresses me with her wisdom. It's interesting how she sees herself as an ordinary woman who just loved to sing, and yet her work ethic is unbelievable. I have a feeling too, that her mother was also a very special person.
I adore everything about this singer!!! Her personality, her songs and her singing voice!!!
I lover her, beautiful woman ❤
She's awesome.
Love her music from the 60s. Glad to see she is keeping well ❤
Exactly.
Yes .. She's magic ❤
A most extraordinary lady with the most wonderful voice. She still has pride in her humble beginnings , love her.
I was 10 when "I'm Sorry " came out. 63 years later, I can still sing it all the way through. Loved Brenda Lee!
No one cares.
@kayingram 29 Did your nasty comment make you feel superior to the lady who said she can sing this song .You are a miserable hateful perso.😡
@@kayingram29😮
Beautiful lady & singer xxxxxx
I can still remember the lyrics to her songs .. they sung the feelings in my heart. She is one-of- a- kind!
She and Connie Francis dominated the charts in the late 50s and 60s.
She's one of the most interesting people I've ever watched and listened to.
She's sweet, profound and kind.
I LOVE THIS LEGENDARY WOMAN!! I listen to her records nearly EVERY single day! Y'all, THIS woman has had MORE HIT RECORDS THAN MOST SINGERS COMBINED! COMBINED!! I cannot begin to count all of them. Take a listen and you will see EXACTLY WHY this lady is in ALL KINDS OF HALLS of FAME!!
😮
She is a legend in her own right..
@@MonicaMariaMcLean
Brenda Lee is in the Country Music Hall of Fame and The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.
😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍
This women is class.
Brenda is great and boy did I ever have a crush on her when I was a pre-teen and teen in the 1950's. God bless Brenda Lee!
Is Brenda Lee a Christian?
Legendary. Beautiful interview! She seems so mentally healthy (although music can be a troubled business), a down-to-Earth lady. She had so many number ones. I'm so surprised she's not mentioned everywhere! She is is incredible!
She’s fantastic and the music from the 60s was better because of her and those she’s mentioned here that opened doors.
@@gracieg7601 ❤️
Ialway'slikedbrendaleeandmynameisbrendaleemymommynamedmeafterherandiwouldlovetomeetbrendaleeinperson❤
My Gramma took my sister and me to meet u when we were real young. You were staying with a relative, I think your Gramma. We lived on Superior St. In Benton Harbor, Michigan. You came out on a porch and you had on a yellow skirt with loads of creations and a white blouse with small yellow print pattern. I remember you just like it was yesterday. You were not much older than us but you were so polite and so cute! You probably thought u didn't want to go meet those kids but out you came with a big smile and you were so pleasant. I'll never forget that. I'm now 80 yrs old but I remember that like it was yesterday! My Gram knew your relative. I bet that house is still standing. Our best to you and all and thanks for being so kind. God Bless.
Supposed to be krenalins. You know those gauzy things we wore under our skirts to make them stand out. Blasted phone has a mind of its own
. Sorry. Oh how appropriate. Lol.
I love this woman, brenda lee is a legend.
LOLOL'
so is Peggy Lee
I love how she is so humble. Losing her daddy at 7 and living in poverty. I love that she has prayer meetings at her house.
Wish the interviewer had a clue.
What a legendary woman. She's been performing since she was six!!!
❤❤❤
My Mom and Dad were listening to her album in 1963. Mom was pregnant with me and they said "Brenda is a pretty name". The rest is my history😊. What a talented woman! 💛
@@brendasmiley6128pllll
I studied classical music but Brenda Lee’s voice is magic ,absolute magic! And we loved her voice all my life. Texture, tone, volume……. U name it.. incredible!
Yes, I also studied music at college but Brenda Lee is pure magic. Her voice brings a smile to my face. She’s a natural! Thank you Brenda. ❤
The affection and respect I feel for this woman is immeasurable.
I remember Brenda as far back as the
Red Foley show
"The Ozarks Jubilee ".
I met her back in Huntsville,Ala at the Grand Theater when she was singing with a band called the
Casual's . She was 13 and I was 10 .
Her sister was with her that night ..we sat beside her ..She invited us backstage to meet Brenda ..
We talked and actually danced together back stage.
A couple yrs later while at the Tennessee Theater in Nashville, Tn I heard my name called out ...I turned to see who it was and it was Miss Brenda Lee.
I could not believe she had remembered my name ..
After that we spoke on the ph a couple of times ..
Last time we spoke was 1963
. That was the same yr she married Ronny Schaklett ..
I would love to see her again ..
I envy you Sharon. I’d give the next 10 years of my life to stand in front of Brenda Lee. I checked her DOB and I am only 3 months older than her. I danced with Barbara Mandrel to a Bobby Vinton song at the Women’s Club in Camp Pendleton, California back in 1965. Patti Page invited my wife and myself up to her dressing room when she performed in Rochester, NY. My 2nd. Wife and I talked to Johnny Lee in Nashville during his break for about 15 minutes. But - Brenda Lee. Sharon - I envy you. I grew-up with her - just like you did.
She is so wise and so humble ❤❤
NOT a single one of these singers in the last 25 or 30 YEARS is good enough to sing BACKGROUND for BRENDA LEE! Brenda Lee is WORLD CLASS. If NOT for the INTERNET, 99% of "today's" "singers" would have been LONG FORGOTTEN!
What a lovely person Brenda Lee is.😊
I love Brenda Lee since she was a kid. I sure wish someone would’ve disconnected that beeping smoke alarm during this interview! Oy!! ❤
Glad to hear that it was in her house. I kept checking mine and wondered if I was hearing things.
This was ASSUME.. What a Great interview of this underrated LEGEND. Her, The Supremes, Connie Francis & Aretha Franklin,, for at least 30 years, were all the Top selling Female artists of All time. How can one not love her even more after watching this.. Brenda Lee,, Love you..
I am so glad Brenda is doing so well and loves Jesus such a bonus. Thank you precious lady for all the joy you have shared with us. God bless you and your family .Hope I see you in heaven.
What a wonderful human being Brenda is
One of the greatest singer of all time! Love her!
Brenda Lee,we love you❤
Remember all her songs at 71
Beautiful, reminds me of Dolly Parton with her positivity, love of family, work ethic, respect.!
What a legend and beautiful soul! Love her music!
I Love all song from the 50's own up. I'm 71 now.🤭😉🙂
I really enjoyed the interview. When I was younger I listened to her songs on 45 rpm records and albums back in the 1950's. I remember enjoying them so much. I was about 9 years old and at this time I also started taking guitar lessons. I also loved to sing and still do.
Brenda has always been my favorite singer. No one compares to her. I still get goosebumps when I hear her sing.
My favorite song she sang was, sad movies always make me cry. I sang it everywhere. Dad and mom bought me the single record and I played it over and over again. She was my favorite singer when I was young. I still love her ❤
Margie - Sue Thompson sang “Sad Movies Always Make Me Cry.”
Great interview. I was lucky enough to had sat right next to this wonderful lady at a restaurant in Nashville Tn. We spoke for a couple hours or so about life, and some music interests. Growing up and being a singer myself and short, it was such an honor to be able to talk to her, especially on an equal Hight level. LOL!. She is a classy down to earth lady. I do believe her autobiography "Little Miss Dyno-mite" should be a major motion picture. It is long overdue.
Oh how wonderful. That’s a awesome person to get to spend hours with.
@@gracieg7601❤
I remember buying my first Brenda Lee album in Paris ,France. I was 15 years old in 1962. Good to see she's still alive and in good health. God bless her
Evangelist Roger and
Full of class and integrity - I listened to her as a child and felt so inspired by the energy/vibration she emanated - a legend 🙏❤
I hear that! Me too!
Absolutely wonderful in every way. The kind of person you wish to have as a friend. So very special.
Love Brenda Lee!! She is a true legend, great asset to the musical world. The interviewer needs more experience....
I think the Interviewer was as original as Brenda Lee. You could see that by the way Brenda showed attention to her. We ALL stumble in our Beginnings. I give the girl credit to put herself in front of a LEGEND.
@@glennchristie2316❤
I LOVE BRENDA LEE CHRISTMAS ISNT CHRISTMAS IN OUR HOME WITHOUT MS BRENDA
Her fire alarm spoilt the interview
That chirping IS a bit distracting, isn't it? 😊
I loved Brenda Lee's songs and first heard them long ago when all we had in our house was a radio. I didn't realise she was so accomplished and had such a long successful career
This interview was great. She's down to earth and such a lovely person. The stars of today could learn a lot from her.
A little lady with an enormous voice! I love her!
In 1958 I had saved up my pocket money to buy my very first seven single record, Brenda Lee "Let's Jump the Broomstick". My dad laughed his head off at the title, we're South African and unfamiliar with the term. I loved Brenda Lee, thank you for posting this interview that revealed so much about her I was unaware of. Now I love her even more!
This interview is wonderful, this woman is wonderful!!
I love Brenda so much, she is perfect 💕
What a truly lovely woman!
She is a treasure
I love Brenda Lee's work and have since I was a teenager. I always wished she had cut a blues/rock album, but I am more than happy and grateful for the music she made during her career. What a kind and down-to-earth lady she is, too.
Love her! Followed since I was 12 when she was on the Red Foley show! Yep, I'm old but ..I was so fortunate to grow up in a time when this music was becoming popular.
I know I'll never get to meet this amazing woman, and I'm so very grateful for this and other interviews with her!!
My voice is scratchy like hers I just wish I could sing like her. 😏❤
Oh gosh. Colonel Tom parker almost got hold of her. Oh gosh. Fantastic that she had all that talent around her.I’m so glad colonel tom didn’t get a hold on her.
Ok she’s still with us and she is 2 yrs older than I am. Born in 1944
Lovely and loveable lady. Along with the late Skeeter Davis, one of my favorite female pop music voices.
Brenda is one of the Cutest women in Rock. But she started soo young she recorded Rockin Around the Christmas Tree when she was 13, to put it another way Brenda Lee and Stevie Nicks are only 4 years apart in age.
Don’t know how I stumbled on this but glad I did. I know who she is as a performer even though she’s more my parents era. What impressed me is her down to earth nature. The story about her going to the science fair rather than meet Mr Sinatra floored me. What a Legend
Brenda is one class act. I love her dearly. Such a talent and so humble about it. Beautiful human being.
Brenda is as cute now as she was when I first saw and heard her on the “Red Foley” show!! I don’t recall what song she sang, but even as a little girl myself, when she belted out her song in that husky, amazing voice, we all got “goosebumps”!! We were literally blown away!! She’s a true beauty inside & out. Truly blessed!!
I loved watching this! Besides having great talent, she has a fantastic, positive attitude!
she needs a smoke alarm battery ❤😂, I thought it was mine
Omg me too
Me too
When I was a younger child, my Parents were told by many, including a couple with money to support me, that I could be another Brenda Lee. I liked that idea, but I would have been "myself" with my talent, personality, humor and all. Now, since I am old, my Parents have "admitted" that they KNEW I would make it in Nashville. They knew I would never live with them again; so they would not let me go and do the only thing in my life, that is still a passion in my life today. So Brenda, thank you for fulfilling so many of our dreams, when our Parents held us back. ❤
A very well grounded legend. She has had so many hearts through the years.
Very nice lady, she is really on the ball, great outlook on life .I have not seen anything about her for years….Thank you for this interview..Best wishes to you Miss Lee…..From England ..
You gotta love her beautiful voice beautiful inside and out! Her and i are same age and i wish i knew her personally... She would be a wonderful friend to have to chat laugh smile and just hang out with😅❤
I totally agree with you. I was born August 18, 1944. Just 3 months before Brenda..
An all time great and a devastating singer in the 50s and 60s. A legend. God bless her.
She is a fantastic woman!
I have a friend that’s a wonderful singer and Ernest Tubb wanted to take her with him in the road. But her daddy had died and she had several siblings and no one to care for them if she had taken her on the road so my friend didn’t go. But she should have. It was the 70s. And she should have. So much talent voice wise. She got to meet allot of country music stars cause ET knew she had talent. She went to Nashville one time. ET payed for her and her mom. But her mother wouldn’t leave the other 4 children to go and she wasn’t letting her daughter go unless dge went afraid of what woujd happen to her if she went went them.
This is a great interview, not only does Brenda have an awesome talent but a wonderful personality as well.
I'm just seeing this and I love Brenda Lee. I know moms get upset when daughters get married behind their backs. I done it and my gran I thought she was going to have a heart attack. But I was 8 months pregnant but if I could do it over I would have got married first but we have a beautiful daughter who is 13 and I've been married 13 years we have been together almost 17 years
I have enjoyed your music since I was a young girl! I love you and your music Brenda!
She looks great.
Always ALWAYS loved her voice!!
Cut my teeth on your songs Brenda Lee!!! I still love you so much and sing your songs! 🎶🎶🎶
I love her songs some of which i have sobbed over when i have had terrible things happen in my young life like young relationships ending etc ..Sending love Brenda you lovely lady xxx
Love this lady. As a pre-teen used to sing all her songs on radio. Still know them today and are on my playlist. She is in there like Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, Crystal Gayle, Dolly Parton, Bonne Raitt, Conway Twitty, Charlie Rich, and her friend Rita Coolidge. 💕💕💕. I have always considered her a Country singer.
0:49 The first gig I ever went to without my parents, just school friends was in 1962 in Blackburn Lancashire. Brenda Lee with Gene Vincent. Billed as the King and Queen of Rock it was a Don Arden production I still have the programme. Great memories.
My first too at Birmingham Town Hall, must have been the same tour, I was 15 went with my best friend and her brother who was 2 years older.
Saw her in concert at Birmingham (England) town hall in the mid sixties still remember how great she was ❤❤❤❤
Phenomenal artist and yet, if you ask Alexa (Amazon music) to play songs by Brenda Lee, you will hear one song. Thank you, Brenda. If you ever see this comment as you are very loved and we thank you. ❤
She was back then ! dynamite and she still look terrific
So, so glad I found this interview with Brenda Lee. I have listened to Brenda ever since I was a little girl and have loved everything I have ever heard her sing. I have respected her all my life. Thank you for the wonderful interview. God bless her and you. Thank you.
I saw Brenda in person at the Pendleton Round Up. I was a teenager and a big fan. My favorite song was “ I’m Sorry”. I tried to sing the oh oh oh oh oh oh oh yea like she did. Practiced it a lot but never got it like her!
What a nice lady! I am impressed with her memory about all those details from about the age of 7 on! I can not remember all the details of how and what I did in order like she can! If she wrote a book detailing it, I can see a little bit how she remembers but unless it's all written down, I couldn't remember all my teachers, band and orchestra leaders' names, much less all the people I worked with, etc.! It's amazing to me how she remembers all those details. Interesting. What a career she's had. Brava, Brenda!
Her songs are great no matter what year we are in
I have always loved Brenda Lee!! I remember when you were on the Ed Sullivan show. I grew up in Al. & retired in Georgia. It was so good to hear this interview. I do love music & you are one of the greatest!!!
I enjoyed this interview so much. I would love for Brenda to be interviewed again and share her stories how different it was in the industry in those incredible years. It was very organic then, before social media. Tons of travel, hotels, radio interviews and promoting was hard work. Thank you, Brenda Lee, for being YOU and sharing your gifts with the world! Encore! Congrats on ALL your Hall of Fames you earned it.
She added joy to my childhood with her voice. ❤
Mine to❤!!
between this and the Fanny interviews, the women of rock oral history project is spoiling us
Going to Brenda Lee's house was one of the best days of my life.
Thank you Brenda so true these days not many appriciate early woman in the music business like Sara and Maybelle Carter, the 1st woman in the hall of fame.
I just admire this video on You tube so I watch it all the time in repeat mode😊
Awesome lady. Legendary
Lovely lady , amazing person
Perfection! I've loved her and her music my whole life..
I heard her music on the radio first and Loved her! Then she appeared in Alamosa and my friends and I were able to attend her concert . She was 8 years old and belted her song out and gave us So Much pleasure actually watching her sing! I was14 years old!!
She’s awesome
Fabulous singer and interview..I too cut my teeth on Hank Williams songs.
Glad Beenda Lee is still here with us 💚
Oh my gosh! I remember watching Brenda Lee and standing on a mop bucket to sing.
My granny loved YOU! I’m sooo happy to get to see you, I used to sing all your songs.
My favorite singer of all times
I loved this interview ! Brenda Lee holds a Big part of my love for Music !! ❤😊
What a remarkable woman! God bless you Brenda Lee! 🫶🏼
one of my favourite old time singer Brenda Lee ❤️ 😍 💙 ♥️ 💕
Living proof, a person can be successful in the entertainment and singing business without going off the deep end. She has a God given talent that she kept in perspective all her life. Great work ethic, that comes from growing up poor, and being thankful for all she became. And was able to help her family especially her mom. Losing her dad had to be very hard for her.
Still a pretty lady Brenda Lee🥰
I see a sparkle in Brenda Lee's eye's. Ive always liked listening to her. My sister was named after her. She seems to have a lot of Spunk. And Im impressed at how she stayed true to herself, has confidence, honeaty, is straight forward, grateful and appreciative! I agree that singers today ahould learn from previous generations. If they love music, you'd think that they would want to. I'm not musical and I have learned alot of history in music. I enjoy that! I would love to have a conversation with her and listen to her stories and experiences! ❤ A Legend!
I always loved Brenda Lee. Loved her voice!!!❤❤
This was a fabulous interview. I've always loved. Brenda Lee. She is a true treasure and if you've never listened to any of her music, you really should take the time. She was a true artist and is one of our great treasures
She seems like such a likable person, nothing fake . She seems so down to earth, really like her.❤❤❤❤❤
Brenda Lee was and is adored to this day, her music is for all times, physically she looks beautifully and is a lovely woman. I do not like the interviewer’s way of conducting this interview, you could hardly hear her words and she was never shown, she made this video
Boring but I saw it all because everything about Brenda Lee is of interest to her fans, she is admired and loved. Blessings to her and her family.
Estella - Give the girl a break. The girl is obviously new and inexperienced but Brenda Lee - The LEGEND Brenda Lee - showed soooooooo much Respect and was soooooo attentive to this girl. That Interviewer will never forget the Respect that Brenda Lee gave her - the Inexperienced Interviewer.. She did a PERFECT job for Who She Was…
@@glennchristie2316
I do agree with you, however it is messages like mine that will alert us to view our performance and improve what will help us reach a higher standard., I highly admire that reached out to this great humble celebrity for this interview which many others ( more experienced ) might not.
Over all my respect for this accomplishment.
Best wishes
🙏📧