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Brenda Lee is like a dream come true. The dream that is still Brenda Lee was born on December 11, 1944. She was born in the charity wing of Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, GA. By the Way Grady Memorial Hospital is still there as part of the Emory University Hospital Complex. Her mother still lives in Lithonia, Georgia. Unfortunately her father was killed in a construction accident in 1953. All her brothers and sisters are still alive and live in Georgia.
According to her website, www.brendalee.com, the first song she learned was a song recorded originally by Eddy Arnold called “My Daddy is Only a Picture”. She made her first public appearance in 1950 at the age of 5, while representing Conyers Grade school in their annual talent contest. She sang “Slow Poke” or “Take me Out to the Ballgame”, but it depends on who you talk to so they choose to say it was either or. There she won first place in the talent contest and runner-up in the beauty contest.
At the age of 5 she was offered a job on “Star makers Revue” a popular Atlanta radio show. She appeared for 1 year. The first song she sang on the air was “Too Young”. They didn’t pay for singing on the show but as Brenda states she was given all the ice cream she could eat.
From the radio she got her first regular TV slot on “TV Ranch” on WAGA-TV in Atlanta. On the first show the audience demanded an encore and she sang “Too Young” after singing the song “Hey Good Lookin”. For this program Brenda wasn’t paid any money or any goods in return.
In 1957 she was given the nickname Little Miss Dynamite after recording “Dynamite”. Rightly so all that energy that came out of that tiny little body certainly would have impressed even galactic beings visiting, not knowing what they were seeing or hearing, just knowing that something out of this world was happening. On a side note in the 1960’s early on in the Beatles Career she performed in the UK with them opening for her on that entire tour. Imagine that…
After several successful pop hits in the 1950’s and 1960s she reformed her style and re-established herself as a country music artist. Many other artists during the 70’s who previously had upbeat pop styles did the same thing. I’m sure if you look hard enough you’ll find a country album by Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr. and even Tom Jones to name a few. She set a standard pattern of reinvention during those years many followed but none did it like her.
Today she’s still working and performing all over the world. She’s cut records in four different languages. She’s also a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, The Country Music Hall of Fame, The Rockabilly Hall of Fame, and the Hit Parade Hall of Fame. Rightfully so she’s also a multi platinum million selling chanteuse of all popular music. A legend with timeless beauty, Brenda Lee is currently celebrating over 50 years in the Music Business.
I’ve chosen a little known song by Brenda on the flip side of the Decca Single “When you loved me”. The song is “He’s sure to Remember Me”. I believe that if this song had been promoted stronger it would have been a hit. It’s kind of mysterious and you can hear the worry in her voice as well as the certainty that she is going to get what she wants. Listen to how she sings “He’s SURE to remember me…..” I sure hope he did I’d hate to see what little miss dynamite would have done to him otherwise.
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[tags]Brenda Lee, He’s Sure To Remember Me, traditional pop standards, popular american songs, traditional pop music, american popular music, little miss dynamite[/tags]
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Interesting….have never heard Brenda Lee quite like this. Will take some getting used to. I guess I only know her of her hits when she was young and songs like Break It To Me Gently.
yes I agree this is a little different. This song came at a time when music was begining to change. With the Beatles and Psych pop and rock begining to take over the airwaves. You can still hear a little of the old Brenda in there. Though you can also hear the change in the times.