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American country music singer and guitarist, best known for his enduring Christmas classic "Jingle Bell Rock" and the No. 1 hit "My Special Angel". Born in Bloomington, Indiana, Helms rose to fame in the late 1950s on the Decca label. His smooth voice and blend of country and rockabilly styles produced several major hits between 1957 and 1958. Despite health struggles and periods away from the spotlight, his signature Christmas song ensured lasting cultural impact.

• Helms struggled with alcoholism throughout much of his adult life, which significantly impacted his career momentum after his initial burst of fame.
• He was diagnosed with emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), largely attributed to years of heavy smoking. These conditions severely limited his ability to perform in his later years.
• His death on June 19, 1997, was caused by complications from emphysema and asthma.
• Despite achieving only a handful of major hits during his peak years (1957-1958), "Jingle Bell Rock" became a perennial phenomenon, re-entering the Billboard charts nearly every holiday season since its release, making it one of the most recognizable and commercially successful Christmas songs of all time.
• He was a member of the Grand Ole Opry.