Iconic '50s Singer Brenda Lee Loves A Dramatic Hairdo & These Pics Prove It

Brenda Lee is an iconic singer who rose to fame during one of Hollywood's most glamorous eras, the 1950s. She is best known for bridging the gap between the rockabilly, country, and pop music genres and released one of her most popular singles to date, the 1958 Christmas hit "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." Lee's career extended beyond Old Hollywood, and her iconic talent made a profound impact on the music industry, even inspiring future stars like Taylor Swift and Elton John. And not only did she have a signature sound, but her statement hairstyles were a major feature of her image. 

Lee may have experimented with different hair colors, but the singer maintained a voluminous beehive throughout her career. In a 2002 interview with Fresh Air, Lee explained why she had maintained the tall hairstyle in her later years. "I still have big hair. It's not as big, but it's big," she said. "I'm so short, I think it makes me look taller. So I just continue to keep it," Lee added. And these different styles over the years show that the big hair still works for her!

Despite rocking a voluminous bouffant throughout the '50s, during the peak of her career in the '60s, Brenda Lee adapted her staple hairstyle. In 1960, just a few years after releasing her hit "Dynamite," the singer donned her signature beehive hairstyle, but this time, she added dramatic side bangs – a hairstyle that is trending again. Lee successfully elevated her already dramatic hairstyle by adding sweeping bangs, which added more dimension and exaggerated the waves in her bouffant. The singer's bold beehive completely contrasted with her cozy cardigan, highlighting her youth.

By 1964, Brenda Lee's bangs had changed again. When the singer posed for a photo in London, she showcased her heavier fringe. Lee is one of the celebrities who look just as gorgeous with their natural hair, and her minor adjustments prove it. While her staple bouffant mirrored that of her beehive style years prior, the singer had rearranged her brunette locks. Lee's hair was teased and swept to one side, creating a combover illusion. Her straight fringe added an element of sophistication to her look and highlighted her growing maturity.

By the '70s, Brenda Lee exuded the elegance of a Hollywood icon. Having made her debut during one of Hollywood's most glamorous decades, Lee had mastered the art of incorporating her beehive into any aesthetic. For this 1970 portrait, the singer adapted her signature hairstyle, yet again. Lee's bouffant featured a rounded crown and sculpted sides. It finished with softly curled ends that gave her look an airy and vintage allure. Her significantly lighter hair blended seamlessly with her glamorous gown, featuring a flowy, sheer balloon sleeve and a daring off-the-shoulder neckline.

In the mid-'70s, Brenda Lee looked remarkably different after making one of the most dramatic changes to her signature hairstyle. In 1975, she was photographed at the "Nashville" movie premiere, showcasing her bold hair transformation. While the singer maintained her lasting love for volume, her hair was restyled into a dramatic perm, one of the hairstyles from the '80s that made a huge comeback with a modern twist. Not only did Lee's reinvented look suggest she was ahead of hair trends, but the singer also showed how versatile her staple hairstyle could be.

Believe it or not, Brenda Lee's voluminous beehive reached new heights in the '80s. While posing for a 1985 portrait, Lee smiled wearing a lively red cardigan, decorated with ribbons. However, it was her vibrant ginger bouffant that took center stage. Although she was clearly still enjoying her dramatic curls, the singer's hairstyle appeared less rounded and even taller than previous years. During an era characterized by teased hair, Lee dyeing her hair suggested she had to go one step further to draw attention to her signature look.

In 1994, Brenda Lee took to the stage at a fundraiser at the Georgia World Congress Center wearing an all-white Western-style suit that nodded to her Southern roots. While her clothes were a clear reflection of her identity, Lee's hair appeared flatter than usual, suggesting that she had already established a reputation for big hair throughout her years of dramatic hairstyles. Despite donning a lighter bouffant, the singer made up for her lack of volume with her bold return to blond hair. Her soft layered curls framed her face well and still created a bouncy silhouette.

Brenda Lee attended the BMI Country Music Awards in 2003 wearing a dazzling two-piece outfit and vibrant red lipstick. As she shimmered under the spotlight, her glamorous allure was only accentuated by her dramatic platinum blond bouffant. In addition to her radiant hair color, the singer's bright beehive combined height and volume with Old Hollywood elegance. Her carefully coiffed hairstyle extended into loose ringlets that effortlessly cascaded across her forehead and framed the sides of her face. Despite donning yet another dramatic hairstyle, Lee's effortless styling proved her signature look was timeless.

In 2015, Brenda Lee stepped on stage to announce the Country Music Hall of Fame inductees. Although she had clearly aged since her teenage years spent alongside artists such as Elvis Presley, Lee's legendary reputation, paired with her dramatic bouffant, arguably commanded the audience. While the singer donned her signature beehive and maintained her love for platinum blond, her hair appeared slightly different. Lee's bouffant was slightly shorter at the back and narrower at the sides, which made for a rounded crown and even more volume.

It's safe to say Brenda Lee dazzled the red carpet at the 2023 CMA Awards. In true Lee style, the singer posed wearing a fabulous sequin-clad blouse, an elegant lace-trim cardigan, and red lipstick, of course. She also styled her hair in a tall bouffant — unsurprisingly. However, this time, her curls appeared noticeably subdued. Her voluminous layers were straightened and styled into a sophisticated and airy silhouette. Nevertheless, when paired with her red lipstick and sparkling attire, Lee's dramatic appearance reflected Old Hollywood aesthetics and reinforced her status as a Hollywood legend.