Several records were broken on Monday when Lee, 78, formerly known as Little Miss Dynamite, put her Christmas song at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
The singer was only 13 when the 1958 holiday hit was recorded.
Before the revelation, the 78-year-old had been celebrating “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” for 65 years. Last month, Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood made their music video debuts for the tune. She’ll also appear as a guest on NBC’s Christmas at the Opry.
At its present position, Lee’s well-known holiday song becomes just the third holiday song to reach number one on the Billboard charts.
The record for the greatest interval between a song’s release and peak position was broken when the song reached number one. It also broke the record for the longest interval between an artist’s successive No. 1 hits.
At over eighty years old, Lee also broke the record for the oldest person to top the Billboard list.
“This is very amazing—I can’t believe ‘Rockin'” is still at the top 65 years after it was first released!” Lee said in a press release. The UMG/UMe crew deserves our gratitude for their unwavering efforts in honoring the song’s anniversary this year. But above all, I want to express my gratitude to the listeners who never give up.
“The song was released while I was a young adolescent, and knowing that it has, and continues to, resonate with many generations is one of the greatest blessings I have ever received. Keep on rocking and have a Merry Christmas!
Brenda Lee, congrats! It’s about time you were recognized for your beloved holiday song.
