Jerry Lee Lewis loves his fans. Sign Jerry Lee Lewis’ Official Guestbook by adding your comment below.
Jerry Lee Lewis loves his fans. Sign Jerry Lee Lewis’ Official Guestbook by adding your comment below.
Somewhere in the world, in a mean little honky-tonk or big music hall or church basement rec room, someone is playing a Jerry Lee Lewis song. Wherever there is a piano, someone is shouting…
You shake my nerves and you rattle my brain
Too much love drives a man insane…
“But they won’t play it like the Killer,” Lewis liked to say, as if he needed to make sure the whole world was hearing him right, hearing the pounding genius of it, in songs like “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Breathless” and “Great Balls of Fire.”
“’Cause,” he liked to say, “ain’t but one of me.”
You broke my will
But what a thrill…
Lewis, perhaps the last true, great icon of the birth of rock ‘n’ roll, whose marriage of blues, gospel, country, honky-tonk and raw, pounding stage performances so threatened a young Elvis Presley that it made him cry, has died.
He was there at the beginning, with Elvis, Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Carl Perkins, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly, and the rest, and watched them fade away one by one till it was him alone to bear witness, and sing of the birth of rock ‘n’ roll.
“Who would have thought,” he said, near the end of his days, “it would be me?”
Goodness gracious, great balls of fire!
He suffered through the last years of his life from various illnesses and injuries that, his physicians have often said, should have taken him decades ago; he had abused his body so thoroughly as a young man he was given little chance of lasting through middle age, let alone old age.
“He is ready to leave,” his wife Judith said, just before his death.
Lewis, who performed everything from “Over the Rainbow” to Al Jolson, who played the Opry and the Apollo and even Shakespeare, was 87 years old.
Some music historians have wondered if Lewis, regarded by his fans and many music historians as rock’s first, great wild man, might be indestructible; his obituary has been written, re-written, then shelved, gathering dust for a day that seemed inevitable, but seemed to never come. He defied death in his old age just as he shrugged off the hard-driving, self-destructive lifestyle of his younger years, to play his music to a worldwide audience across seven decades, decorate the walls of his home with Grammys and gold records, and spawn a million outrageous stories — most of them true.
Once, when asked by a biographer: “Is it true that…”
“Yeah,” interrupted Lewis, without waiting to hear the particulars, “it probably was.”
His beginnings sounded like myth. His father, Elmo, and mother, Mamie, mortgaged their farm to buy him a piano, after he climbed onto a piano bench and, without ever having touched a keyboard before, began to play. His nickname, Killer, had nothing to do with his playing, but came from a schoolroom fight in Ferriday when he tried to choke a grown man with his own necktie; still, it fit the man, the musician to come, but there was more to him than a barroom piano pounder who sometimes kept a pistol in his pants.
Musicians and music journalists called him a true virtuoso, whose music was so rich and complex that some of them swore there were two pianos on stage instead of one. He played honky-tonk and blues across the same keyboard in the same instant, could play melody with both hands. He sang rockabilly before he knew it had a name, sang blues, gospel and country in the same set and sometimes the same breath, to become No. 24 on Rolling Stone’s 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. Sam Phillips, who launched the careers of Elvis and Lewis at Sun Records in Memphis, called Lewis the most talented person he had ever seen. A talent that made him one of the very few to be inducted into both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s first class in 1986 and, most recently this past week, at long last, into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
As Lewis stacked hits on the charts in ’57 and Elvis received his draft notice, the reigning king of rock ‘n’ roll drove to Sun Records in tears, to tell Lewis: “You can have it.”
But if Jerry Lee’s life was a comet that streaked across the sky of American music, it was also a thing that scorched him inside and out, and so many of the people around him.
Judith, his seventh wife, was by his side when he passed away at his home in Desoto County, Mississippi, south of Memphis. He told her, in his final days, that he welcomed the hereafter, and that he was not afraid.
Born into the Assembly of God church in his hometown of Ferriday, Louisiana, he never stopped believing, even when his lifestyle made the specter of hell seem closer. His greatest fear, that he would be condemned to a lake of fire for playing what many in his Pentecostal faith called “the devil’s music,” haunted him. He shared his fear with Elvis, who begged him to never mention it again. Lewis thought Elvis, also a Pentecostal, was the one person who might understand, but he died in ’77, leaving Lewis to wonder, alone.
He had prayed every day across his long life for forgiveness, and for salvation. His was a church that believed in miracles; why, he sometimes wondered, should he not be one of them? He found peace near the end of his life in a simple idea: that a music that brought such joy to so many could only come from God, “and the devil,” he said, “didn’t have nothin’ to do with it.”
“He said he was ready to be with Jesus,” said Judith.
His last album was a gospel record with his cousin, lifetime televangelist Jimmy Swaggart, who had preached against his music when they were younger. In Jerry Lee’s final months, they took turns at the keyboard, singing songs they learned as children: “Old Rugged Cross” and “Lily of the Valley” and “In the Garden.” Lewis, though his voice and body were weakened by his injury and a recent stroke, seemed happy, content.
Much of his life, Lewis had seemed determined to leave the world in the great fire he sang about. He set pianos ablaze, busted hecklers in the head with the butt-end of his microphone stand and rammed the gates of Graceland with his Rolls Royce. He shot holes in the wall of his Memphis office with a .38 revolver, shot his bass player in the chest, “by accident,” with a .357. His life, at different times, was a blur of high-speed chases and Crown Royal. The DEA met his planes on the runway. Fortunes came and went; all the wild rock musicians who came after him, he said, were mostly amateurs. Keith Richards tried to toss up a bottle of Crown Royal and catch it by the neck, like him, “but he never did it right … wasted a bunch of good liquor.”
But if you asked him, in his waning years, what he hoped people would say about him, he had a simple answer.
“You can tell ‘em I played the piano and sang rock ‘n’ roll.”
His career, like his body, seemed doomed a dozen times.
After soaring to the top of the charts in ’57 with songs like “Shakin’” and “High School Confidential,” he was castigated in the press for his marriage to his 13-year-old cousin, Myra. His rock’n’ roll star seemed to burn out even as it began to rise, and after a few big hits in the early 1960s his career seemed to be over. He responded by loading two cars with instruments and musicians and hitting the road, to play some big rooms, still, but also every honky-tonk and beer joint that would pay him to perform. He fought his way out of beer joints in Iowa, then drove all night and all day to another town and another show.
Sometimes he gave them magic and sometimes, if the mood was on him, he gave them less, but in his old age he swore he gave them the magic all the time. In ’64, record producers taped his show at a Hamburg, Germany, nightclub and made what would become music history. Live at the Star Club would be regarded as one the rawest, wildest, and greatest live albums of all time.
Then, in a twist that surprised many of his rock fans, Jerry Lee Lewis went country. “Another Place, Another Time,” was just the beginning of a string of soulful country chart-toppers that made him rich and famous all over again. He had more than 30 songs reach Billboard’s Top 10, including “To Make Love Sweeter for You” and a haunting “Would You Take Another Chance on Me.” It seemed only natural to Jerry Lee. He had always believed that Hank Williams hung the moon.
In this new stardom he finally played the Grand Ole Opry, the organization that had once snubbed him, and ignored the two-song protocol to play what and for long as he pleased, even playing through the commercials. Then, in perhaps the oddest twist of his musical career, he was cast as Shakespeare’s sinister Iago in a musical production in Los Angeles; he was a natural.
Once again, he flew around the world, sometimes on his own plane, and once again his lifestyle made almost as many headlines as his music. Tragedy followed him; he buried two sons. His health began to fail, marriages failed, but somehow he always rallied, always kept playing, for big paydays, or for free in a Memphis nightclub, living the life he sang about in his songs.
In 2006, his Last Man Standing album sold a million copies, his best-selling album of his long career. He followed that with another success, Mean Ol’ Man. You could hear the ghosts of the old honky-tonks in them, as if Jerry Lee Lewis had, truly, found a way to stop time. He did a duet with Springsteen.
His Lifetime Achievement Grammy was a kind of crowning achievement, and he appeared at Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame shows to accept his due and to school the whippersnappers on how it was done.
In 2012, when he was 76, he fell in love and married Judith, and they lived quietly – quietly for Jerry Lee Lewis – in northern Mississippi, though Lewis continued to do shows here in the U.S. and abroad. That year they took a trip to Ferriday to visit the family cemetery, and to drive across the bridge to Natchez where, as a boy, Jerry Lee used to dangle over the girders high above the brown water of the Mississippi and the passing boats below. The other boys begged him to get down, but he just hung there, grinning, till they were in tears. When asked if he was scared, a lifetime later, he just looked surprised. The Killer didn’t get scared. But looking down at the river as an old man, he said he might have been crazy.
Later, they drove past the church where he beat the piano to pieces with his cousins Swaggart and Mickey Gilley, who would go on to country music stardom, pounding a little blues and honky-tonk into the hymns they were supposed to be practicing.
Just across town from the tiny church had once stood the other temple of his musical education, a blues joint called Haney’s Big House, where some of the biggest acts in the country came to play. As a little boy, he snuck in the door and hid under the tables to hear rolling blues piano and wicked guitar. And somewhere in between it all, between the hymnals and the beer joints, between Hank Williams and Ray Charles, he found something that was his alone. It was always a waste of breath to ask if he had any regrets.
He had a million, and he had none. It all just depended on the song that was running through his head at the time.
“I’ve had an interesting life,” he said, in his 2014 biography, “haven’t I?”
Written by Rick Bragg
—
Jerry Lee Lewis is survived by his wife, Judith Coghlan Lewis, his children Jerry Lee Lewis III, Ronnie Lewis, Pheobe Lewis and Lori Lancaster, sister Linda Gail Lewis, cousin Jimmy Swaggart and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Elmo and Mamie Lewis, sons Steve Allen Lewis and Jerry Lee Lewis Jr., his siblings Elmo Lewis Jr. and Frankie Jean Lewis and his cousin Mickey Gilley.
Services and more information will be announced in the following days. In lieu of flowers, the Lewis family requests donations be made in Jerry Lee Lewis’ honor to the Arthritis Foundation or MusiCares – the non-profit foundation of the GRAMMYs / National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
I love Jerrys music.
Hello from Oklahoma.
God Bless.
Keep going Killer.
I hope you are well and coronavirus-free! Be safe always.
Hope to hear you sing soon.
Truly a classic! Will you be in concert soon?
I am a big fan and one of many children who has played with sherwin linton.
Howdy Mr. Lewis,
just would like to take the opportunity to thank you for all the great songs you’ve gifted us over decades! At the same time I have to appologize that I’ve banned you several years from my record player because you didn’t show up to two concerts for which I’ve travelled several hundreds of kilometers. Damn, I was young and pride, today I’ve realized how special and fragile the great moments in our life are. Surely you’ve created some of them! It’s great to see that you’re still around and still pumpin the piano. Whish ya’ll the best, thank you Sir and god bless you!
Listening to the Killer while writing this comment. Huge fan may never have the chance to see him in person due to the fact i live in the Cold Far North of Canada but will forever listen to Jerry Lee and will die listening to Jerry Lee!
Jerry
I’ve been a fan for many years – dating from my teens.
You’re the best.
Regards and Best Wishes
Patrick
One of the greatest rock n rollers of all time! I have never had a chance to see you in concert or meet you, but I sure hope to get that chance one day! Stay healthy my friend and keep rockin!
Hello Jerry Lee I Have been a fan of you since the late 1960 s..i saw you at winter gardens in Elizabethtown ohio you were taking song request that night.i ask you to play a song for me ( Big leg woman).you reached over and kissed my hand.the photo guy snapped a picture.i still have that picture. Thank-you for all the great music. Wishing you well. Love you .sincerely.Connie Waits.
I started playing the piano again after many years. I’ve chosen a song to master each year. I’ve knocked off “Riders on the storm” the Doors and “Bohemian Rhapsody” Queen. While listening to music and searching for songs I came across “Great Balls of Fire” I became fascinated by your style of playing and the rock n roll groove. I’ve now watched every movie, documentary, video and recorded performance you did, that I can get my hands on. You are absolutely inspirational and what you have been through in this life with love n losses is that breaking. I’m glad God gave us Jerry Lee Lewis because your music is a gift to this world forever!! I wish more than anything I could meet you in person and shake your hand and say thank you! God bless you!
Sending love to the Second Man in my marriage, Sir, Jerry Lee !
Blessings from the wife of Mr. Brian Miller, the man I married first. 🙂
Thank you for your music and inspiration.
God Bless!
Dear Sir;
I am not sure if you remember me but Kerrie introduced us to each other at Lee’s 16 th birthday party.
My late husband Jack French played drums for Kerrie and our children was good friends. My name is Joyce French and my granddaughter is wanting so desperately to meet you in person and gain some knowledge from you about the piano.
A response back would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your time
Joyce French
Doniphan, Missouri
Hey hey Mr Lewis, I’m a big fan of your End Of The Road. Been performing it myself on and off for about 40 years. Always hits the spot and a fun song to do. Be well and Keep On Rockin’. And thanks!
Dear Mr. Lewis — Jerry Lee! — Huge fan of you and your music my whole life — when I was at West Point back in 1987 – 1991 my good friend Johnny T from Louisiana used to call me “Jerry Lee” because of my shock of blond hair which was pretty much at the very edge of regulation — I always remember that nickname warmly because my buddy Johnny left us far too young and he was one of a kind. Anyway your piano playing is an inspiration and I’m working on my Jerry Lee style every day (would love it if you made a little tutorial series teaching a few of your favorite signature moves — I bet millions would pay a lot per 15-minute video to watch that!!!) — playing your songs (or trying) brings me a lot of joy. I can tell you for absolute certain that it’s NOT “the devil’s music” and that can be proven. Just like all the other ancient sacred stories, the stories in the bible are about reconnecting with your own self, not something outside yourself, and I know from my own experience that music is a way to do that. Wishing you all the best and keep on — your singing is absolutely as amazing as your playing! Very best regards, DWM
Dear Jerry,thanks for all great moments when i am listening to your music,it cheers me up
and the day is great again,please get well,i hope you can enjoy life a lot of years to come
Kind regards from Holland
Yours Mario
Hello Jerry Lee!
Thanks for keeping us Rockin!
Hello!! My name is Ben and I am 12 years old and I love your music. I am studying the piano now and want to play like you! Your music really sounds so good to me. Thank you for the talent you have shared with the world. I really hate that I never got to meet you. It is my goal to play the piano like you because you are the greatest piano player ever!!!
When I was 6 years old I was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma cancer. I had to have chemo treatments and so they could save my life I had have a below knee amputation. My Grandma introduced me to your music and I Loved it!! And, it really helped me get through all I was going through. I wish I could have been borned in the early days of Rock & Roll! I love that era of music!! Especially yours!! I know your health has been bad lately, and I know you don’t feel like touring now, but I have been enjoying watching you on YouTube.
May God bless you with good health. I just wanted you to know how I feel about you and know that your music is certainly appreciated. Thank you Jerry Lee!!
I Love you and so does my family!!
Ben Leslie
You have inspired many a people around the globe, myself included.
You just can’t get enough that pumping piano…
Keep rockin’ Killer!
Been a fan since monaural, saw live in 1970 Roanoke, VA
Love the “KILLER”
Jerry Lee Lewis는 훌륭한 아티스트입니다. 나는 그의 음악까지 자란 것을 기억합니다. 그런 영감. 이 공물은 내가 정말 좋아하는 것입니다!
You are an inspiration. You’re the reason I started playing piano about 25 years ago; I even played “Great Balls of Fire” at a school talent show. I hope someday I get a chance to see you in concert.
I saw you when I was 6 my brother and I stuck into tent at carnival in Blytheville AR (1958?) we was amazed at the wildman on stage.
God bless you, Jerry Lee! I have loved your music for years and was fortunate enough to see you put on a wonderful show in San Diego in 1979. Thank you for being a great, one-of-a-kind entertainer.
hey jerry kim strom.. daddy played backup keyboards for you for years; where are his pictures. daddys been gone for 15 years and I have never seen anything about your backup keyboardist that admired you so. do that for my jerry and thanks.
Thanks for all the happy memories jerry.