Columnist Joe Delaney: Lee, at Orleans, is in sixth decade of performing

Joe Delaney

Friday, Jan. 4, 2002 | 8:32 a.m.

Joe Delaney's column appears on Thrusdays and Fridays. Reach him at 259-4066 or joe@lasvegassun.com

Little Miss Dynamite, better known as Brenda Lee, appearing at The Orleans through Sunday, a star at the age of 6, is in her sixth decade as a recording artist and singing performer ... Despite her country roots, the late John Lennon once described Lee as having "the greatest rock 'n' roll voice of them all."

Lee has recorded more than 250 selections, racking up sales in excess of 100 million units, more than any woman in recording history, plus earning more than 30 national music awards ... She has had numerous Grammy Award nominations, but this is the one major award that has eluded her ... She has won every other pop and country music award, many more than once.

The first song she sang in public was an Eddy Arnold hit, "My Daddy Is Only a Picture." Not yet age 6, she won an amateur talent contest singing "Slow Poke" and "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" ... She was also runner-up in a companion beauty contest ... A radio appearance led to a regular role on Atlanta's WAGA-TV in a program titled "TV Ranch."

This led to her first paid professional job, at a Shriner's luncheon, for which she was paid $20 ... Country music great Red Foley, touring with his ABC show "Ozark Jubilee," gave Lee her first major exposure when she made her national debut on his program in March of 1956 ... Foley was a top Decca (now MCA) recording artist.

Foley was responsible for having Paul Cohen, the label's country music producer, sign Lee to a contract ... Her first release, a cover recording of the Hank Williams' hit "Jambalaya," hit the charts in 1957 ... Three years later she had her first No. 1 pop and country hit with "I'm Sorry," the first of her many signature songs.

"I'm Sorry" has sold more than 20 million units to date, and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree" has passed the 15-million mark ... Every one of her Decca releases achieved gold and/or platinum sales status ... In 1960 she became an international star, performing in 52 countries and recording hits in French, German, Italian, Spanish and Japanese.

At 57, Lee is a living legend, still in top form ... She transcends categories, still happiest performing for a live audience ... Lee performs here infrequently ... She is this weekend's "don't miss" recommendation.

Weekend wrap-up

Two Sundays ago a columnist in the morning paper gave the local Musicians Union his "Grinchiest" award, "Jim Carrey's sweat-soaked fur costume" to use "when blocking the recent all-star USO benefit concert from airing on TV, or while suing Caesars Palace to keep people from hearing a CD of classic showroom performances ... (Yeah, I like to see musicians get paid, too, but it was 20 years ago. Get over it.)"

There is an existing agreement with the American Federation of Musicians requiring proper prior notice when recording a live performance for future television release or release as a recording in whatever form.

There is a letter of understanding and agreement, currently awaiting signature of Neil Miller, producer of the event "Las Vegas Salutes the Spirit of America," a benefit for the USO, for future television use and proper compensation ot the musicians.

In the Caesars Palace matter, it is Concord Records and a subsidiary company that is currently negotiating with the local Musicians Union with regard to compensation for the recordings illegally made and acquired ... The passage of time does not cure the illegalities ... I'm shocked at the columnist's suggestion ... The columnist in question might better don Carrey's Grinch costume himself.

Enjoy the weekend ... See you next Thursday.