World’s Oldest Headbanger Makes Heavy Metal History

As many of our rock heroes become senior citizens, we continue to marvel at their ability to defy old age.  The Stones, The Who and Paul McCartney are among many legendary musicians who are still rocking well into their "golden years".  Hell, Sammy Hagar is 66 and he's still drinking tequila.  But this guy has 'em all beat.

This week, 91 year old actor and musician Sir Christopher Lee made history, officially becoming the oldest person to ever release a Top 40 single.  His new Christmas themed metal song "Jingle Hell" just debuted on #22 on the Billboard Hot 100.

For those unfamiliar with Lee, he is best known for his film roles in The Lord of the Rings, Dracula, Frankenstein and The Wicker Man.  Although he has been playing music his entire life, he didn't release his first metal album until 2010, at the ripe old age of 89.  He has since recorded three albums in as many years, including this year's "Charlemagne: The Omens of Death".  He has also released two holiday EP's, 2012's "A Heavy Metal Christmas" and this year's follow up "A Heavy Metal Christmas Too".

Before Lee's latest single cracked the Billboard charts, the oldest person to ever record a hit single was Tony Bennet, who was 85 when "Body and Soul" was released in 2011.  If you want to hear a 91 year old man shred on the guitar, here's the video link for his latest single.