Little Miss Dynamite: The Life and Times of Brenda Lee

by Brenda Lee, Robert K. Oermann, Julie Clay

Book Overview

In this candid autobiography, Lee recounts her astonishingly dramatic life, filled with early poverty, tragic deaths, a nonexistent childhood, a controlling manager, young elopement, illnesses, barely averted financial disaster, and one of show business's most durable marriages. Brenda's life has touched some of the most legendary names in the annals of entertainment, from Elvis Presley to Elton John. It's a tumultuous life, sprinkled with humour,...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786866446
• ISBN13: 9780786866441
• Release Date: March 2002
• Publisher: Hachette Books
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 1.32 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 6.4" x 9.6"
• Age Range: 18 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Postsecondary to Grade 12

Customer Reviews

A true living legend

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.

Great Book

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 LITTLE LADY WITH THE POWERFUL VOICE!

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."

Waited For This One For a Long Time!

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!

A "Dynamite" Book

February 17, 2002A 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.