Customer Reviews

Little Miss Dynamite: The Life and Times of Brenda Lee

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Any one growing up in the fifites and sixties will remember the powerful voice of Brenda Lee. To say that is was, indeed, dynamite, is no exaggeration. This book is a typical "rags to riches story", but Brenda, herself, is strong woman who has overcome some extremely significant challenges in her lifetime. From her childhood poverty, to the manager she trusted who left her virtually financially destroyed in the seventies, Brenda tells it all - the good, the bad, the trust and betrayal, her day in the sun and her illness - this is her story. For those of us who are today's baby boomers, we look back at that time of our youth, when rock 'n roll was what made the world go round, and often we hear a name and say, "I wonder whatever happened to...." Brenda Lee, is a name most of us no longer think about on a daily basis, but every now and then we hear a golden oldie, such as "I'm Sorry" and we remember Brenda Lee. The book is filled with information told as only Brenda could tell it and the book is highly recommended reading material for those of us who like to "remember when."

A life-long fan of Brenda Lee, I bought this book the day that it hit first hit the bookstore ... I have always felt that Brenda's story should be told and have known it was in the works ... Written in a style that was highly "conversational," the book makes the reader feel that they are sitting at a table in an informal chat with the author. Having followed her career for at least 35 years, I found the book fascinating. I had my nose in it for three straight days, every time that I had a free minute, until it was finished. The stories that dealt with Dub Albritton, her manager, who used every piece of energy he had to promote her and then, was found to have mismanaged her funds; her statements about extreme poverty as a child, even when her early image screamed "success"; and the telling of how her marriage to Ronnie Shacklett has stayed strong from her late teens until present day all were total highlights of an excellent read. I plan to read it again within the month. The true and avid fan of Brenda Lee can't afford to miss this one!

I really wasn't into this book until I watched this documentary on PBS on women who sang rockabilly music, and I had noticed her auto at the library, so I checked it out and here I am giving a review. It is not fortunate for child stars to grow up and become normal,productive adults. If anything, they are scarred, eccentric, or trying to relive their glory days. But with this lady, you have a woman who just happened to be a child star, survived the business despite her controlling manager, bad business moves, and illnesses. She has turned out into a gracious lady and her book is really great. If you are looking to go back into memory lane to the the good ol' days, well this is the book for you. A great book by a great American lady.

The cliché 'better late than never' holds much substance with me -- an avid reader and reviewer, and music lover -- as in my finally reading a book that has sat in boxes during residential moves, then sat on my bookshelves... until now. (The book was published in 2002 and it is now 2007!)

An energetic ball of fire... From the time she was a babe in a crib, Brenda Lee identified with music on the radio; by age two she was powerfully singing the lyrics -- all in tune and rhythm, without voice nor music lessons. By age six she was a TV regular; the family breadwinner by age ten; a national recording artist by age eleven; by twelve -- the youngest headliner to entertain Las Vegas audiences; rock 'n roll by fifteen, and largest-selling female performer by twenty-one. Red Foley, of TV's 'The Ozark Jubilee', became a friend and promoter, and she earned the moniker 'Little Miss Dynamite', making top recordings one after the other. It was the time of singles, of which Brenda Lee holds the largest hit numbers of all female recording artists. She writes of her agents, especially Dub Allbritten, who became a guardian on the road and off, and a father figure. Brenda refers to him as 'the Professor Higgins to my Eliza Doolittle'. When he said 'Jump', she'd say 'How High?'

She was entered into the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame, was a four-time Grammy Award contender, presented The Governors Award for Lifetime Achievement (Georgia), performed in the Legendary Ladies of Rock 'n Roll (a highly successful video taped at the Latin Quarter), named Nashville's Ambassador of Goodwill, among many other well-earned titles, with a vast, and I mean vaaaaaast... collection of songs....'Jambalaya', 'Sweet Nothin's', 'I'm Sorry', 'Johnny One Time', 'I Want to Be Wanted', 'Rock the Bop', 'One Step at a Time', 'Rockin' around the Christmas Tree', 'The Cowgirl and the Dandy' 'From Levi's to Calvin Klein Jeans'..... and so much more.... Loved by all and mentor to many, Brenda Lee writes of many recognizable names -- performers, and lyricists, along with a plenitude of songs and recordings. Brenda was/is popular in Italy, Holland, Japan, Sweden, Australia, United Kingdom, Turkey, Spain, and Russia -- to name a few, plus she sang and recorded in foreign languages phonetically, while learning fluent Japanese. In 1979, the report was fifty-six countries noted. She was adept as Jimmy Durante mimic; and one night after her show, he appeared behind stage, asked her to show the mimic routine, then presented her with his well-many times-many-years-worn hat. (She admits to immediately putting that treasure under glass.)

Brenda Lee writes of performers before her, during her, and after her appearance in the public eye. There's Grace Slick, Tanya Tucker, Patsy Cline, Janis Joplin, Elton John, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Kris Kristofferson, Bob Dylan, Hank Williams, Otis Redding, Sophie Tucker, Judy Garland, the Beatles, Tammy Wynette, George Jones, and those are 'just the tip of the iceberg'. Readers will recognize names from 'back then' to 'now'. She was born Brenda Mae Tarpley into Georgian poverty; her 'own backyard' became Nashville in her late twenties, a fall, and rise again. Married in her upper teens to Ronnie Shacklett, a boy she saw at a concert sitting on the other side, and he was so cute she sent him a note. Just like the person herself, Brenda Lee's biography is warm, sensitive, upbeat, even when there were lows. The book contains her written words, plus insertions -- quotes of other artists, friends, et al. The media called her 'Nashville's Song Magnet' with a vast arena of fans, followers, and friends.

With wit, and wisdom this tremendous talent writes, "When I'm done with a show, I look like I've played a football game. Ronnie says I glow. I say it's sweat. I would have done better in a performance video than trying to act in one. That never was my thing." I finally read Brenda Lee's book 'after all these years'; and she is one lady who has been and always will be in my heart! ..

Other recommendations: Tanya Tucker's NICKEL DREAMS: MY LIFE; JOHNNY CASH, THE SONGS edited by Don Cusic; CASH by Johnny Cash; and Gladys Knight's BETWEEN EACH LINE OF PAIN AND GLORY - MY LIFE STORY

Typical autobiography. There was some selective memory loss in this book, as I've read things in other books about Brenda that she omitted in this book. If you're a big Brenda Lee fan, read the book and you're probably enjoy it. If you not or are too busy, you won't miss anything.

As another life-long fan of Brenda Lee, I pre-ordered the book to make sure I got as early as posssible. I'am not really a book reader, but I had to buy this, and I couldn't put it down, I thought I knew most thing about Brenda, but found a lot more interesting thing about her.
People who don't like the book, were hoping to read about sex and drugs etc, but Brenda is clean living, loving wife and mother, and who loves her fan's, it's a shame other artist's don't care as much as Brenda does.

This book is a must for any true fan, you will enjoy.

February 17, 2002
A book for the utlimate Brenda Lee fan. What a life this terrific lady has had with it's ups and downs or should I say downs and ups. She is always able to bounce back up. I'm sure most fans like myself have thought Brenda has lead a glamorus life all these years and for the most part she has. We don't realize all that goes on in that world we are not a part of. Her book is well written and keeps your attention. Even though I've been a fan of Brenda's for 43 years and an honored to be a friend for about 25, there was lots of things about her life the book enlighten me to.

I want give away anything in the book, you will have to read it for yourself, but you will see that there are more reasons than one she is know as "Little Miss Dynamite"! Brenda Lee, the lady with THE VOICE.

This is a strange hybrid of a biography and an autobiography. There are a lot of quotes from other people about Brenda Lee, something you'd expect to find in a biography. You will certainly learn the basic facts of her early life, family, and career, but just the facts. Occasionally Lee does offer some personal insight or observation, but they are rare. Unfortunately, too much of the filler in this book is about the pop and music culture of the 1950s and 1960s with Brenda Lee only playing a part in it. I got the vague impression that Lee was kept so busy and preoccupied with her career during her formative years that she really doesn't remember it herself (she has two co-writers of her "autobiography"). To her loyal fans, Miss Lee can do no wrong, as evidenced by the gushing reviews they give her here; I like her music too but I don't think she had enough personal material to warrant an "autobiography."

This book gives an excellent peek at decades of the music industry and many of the people in it. I enjoyed learning about Brenda's life and career, and am amazed by her energy and the number of people she knows. The part of the story told in first person is a balanced narrative, explaining but not bragging or complaining. It's truly mindboggling that someone can generate a star's income but be forced to live in poverty. I like the concept of having quotes by other people interspersed with Brenda's story, but I sure did get tired of reading about her great talent and showmanship abilities. She brags about herself through quotes of other people. Cutting out that repetition would improve the book. My only other complaint is that the book jumps around and is hard to follow. A person dies in one chapter and is alive in the next. Brenda gets a makeover and a new stage show, and then jumps back several years to talk about getting married. It would give a smoother picture to learn about the marriage and babies before reading about world tours and stage shows that the reader has been led to believe occurred while she was single. As a lifelong country music fan, I am pleased to now understand where and how Brenda Lee fits into the business.

I dont think you have to be a fan to really enjoy this book. Any one who grew up during the great era of rock n roll knows Brenda Lee and appreciates her music. ...The book will hold your interest from beginning to end. Give it a read, you will be pleasantly surprised.