Molly Bee

Molly Bee, who became an overnight country music star when she recorded the 1952 novelty hit I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, died in California this past Saturday from complications following a stroke.

Bee, in failing health for several months, was just 10 when she began her music career, singing the Hank Williams' classic Lovesick Blues on country star Rex Allen's radio show. Three years later, she released I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus.

Bee went on to record a number of hit country songs throughout the 1950s and appeared in several musical comedies in the '60s. Although her star had begun to fade by the 1970s, she continued to tour and perform.