In a historic moment, Brenda Lee, a Rock and Roll Hall and Country Music Hall of Famer, has achieved a historic No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with the timeless holiday classic ‘Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,’ 65 years after its debut. This milestone not only marks Lee’s third No. 1 but also sets several records. Surpassing Mariah Carey’s ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You,’ Lee claims just the third holiday No. 1 ever on the Hot 100.
Remarkably, Lee now holds the record for the longest gap between an artist’s first and most recent week at No. 1 on the Hot 100, with her initial chart-topper being ‘I’m Sorry’ in 1960, a staggering 63 years ago. The climb to the top of the Hot 100 is also record-breaking, as ‘Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,’ written by Johnny Marks and released when Lee was just 13, achieves this feat 65 years later. At nearly 79 years old, Lee becomes the oldest woman to top the Hot 100, surpassing icons Cher and Mariah Carey.
Expressing her astonishment, Brenda Lee conveyed her gratitude to the fans and the UMG/UMe team for their efforts in celebrating the song’s anniversary. Reflecting on the enduring resonance of ‘Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,’ Lee emphasized its significance across multiple generations and considered it one of the best gifts she has ever received. In honor of the song’s 65th anniversary, Lee released a first-ever music video featuring cameos by country stars Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood, along with a new EP, ‘A Rockin’ Christmas with Brenda Lee,’ featuring reimagined holiday favorites.
