Brenda Lee Remembers Special Bond with John Lennon

Brenda Lee is widely recognized for her enduring holiday classic "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree," recorded when she was just 12 years old. Yet in the 1960s, she stood out as a leading pop star, akin to today's Taylor Swift. During this era, she achieved consecutive No. 1 hits with "I'm Sorry" and "I Want to Be Wanted," all while still a teenager.

Lee headlined a concert where her opening act was a then-unknown group known as The Silver Beatles, who would later become The Beatles. In the PBS documentary "Brenda Lee: Rockin' Around," she reminisces about her time with the iconic band and reveals her connection to them. "When I started touring in England, I was popular there before I was ever popular here," she says.

One member stood out for Lee. "John was my favorite Beatle," she recalls, highlighting their special bond. "I loved them all, but John's irreverence and great sense of humor were magical. He was the genie in the bottle who let me have the cork." Lee mentions Lennon calling her the first female rocker, a sentiment echoed by Keith Urban in the documentary, acknowledging John’s habit of offering few compliments.

Lee's career evolved from rockabilly to pop, producing hits throughout the '60s, '70s, and '80s. Her notable songs included the upbeat "Sweet Nothin's," a 1959 Top 5 single later sampled by Kanye West in "Bound 2."

With her induction into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame, Lee's legacy is remarkable. "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" finally reached No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 after 65 years, making Lee the oldest performer to achieve this at age 78. She celebrated her 79th birthday just days later during her run at the top.

Trisha Yearwood, who participates in the documentary and Lee’s holiday video, expresses admiration for Lee's influence, stating, "Very few people have stories of hanging out with The Beatles."

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