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
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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.
To the BEST piano player in the world from one who only wishes that he could play as good as you do! I have been playing piano since I was 5 and Hammond Organ since 9. You are an inspiration to me! Hopefully, I will still be playing when I am 85 going on 86! It is my hope that when all this COVID is over that I can meet you and shake your hand as well as watch you kill the keys!! You are a legend in your own right! Happy upcoming birthday. Continued health to you and yours.
Hi. My grandpa was Lathan Elis Glasscock. His wife was Ruth Nell Glasscock and the had 8 kids. I’m a grandchild of Elis and Nell.
I’ve heard the story my whole life about how my grandpa Glasscock met Mr. Jerry Lee Lewis (I think) at a hotel here in Florida. I know they’re from Louisiana, Tennessee, and Florida, but idk the time frames.
I am not asking for anything, but it would be really cool if I could get confirmation of this or if Jerry remembers my grandpa. He passed away when I was 9yrs old and my dad is no longer here. I’ve lived in Middleburg, Florida my entire life. Maybe all the info will ring a bell. Anyways, I love your music and you.
Take care,
♡
Being my age (52) never seen you perform live much to my dismay. However i have had the great honour of meeting your sister ( linda gail ) once when she supported my idol ( Shakin stevens) in saint davids hall cardiff wales) amd and all i can say is wow. You can see the Jerry lee influence. I was lucky enough to get a photo and autograph from the lady herself. What a great double act you and your sister would make. But until then Jerry please keep on rocking. Kind regards Adrian
I’ve been your fan since I was a kid. Love you Jerry!!! You’re the Man!! In spite of living very far away, i got to see you three times.always a joy!!
Long live the killer!!! All my best wishes to you, and a big hug from Argentina!!
Hi Killer,
Hope this note finds you well. Been listening to a lot of your music here lately and wanted to let you know how much I still enjoy listening to you. You are truly an amazing talent and treasure.
So HI from Southern Ohio. And a special hi from the woop woop man, Dane Puckett!
I have been a fan since I was 16 I’m 76 now and still a fan his music has always been the best
Hi Jerry! You are the true king of rock n roll. I’m 24 years old and grew up listening to all of your music you are the best. Lots of love.
Hi mr jerry lee lewis my name is james in Louisville Kentucky and I think your music is awesome and amazing and I enjoy it very much thankyou very much for giving your music to the world for us to enjoy it and cherish it
Desde Colombia: desde chico siempre creí y sigo creyendo que Jerry Lee Lewis fue y es el verdadero Rey del Rock and Roll, un juego que invente para niños en mis clases de teatro se llama “El gusanito Jerry Lee” y se baila con Great balls on fire, tengo 48 y aun espero conocerlo un dia, ojala tocando el piano!!
Keep on rockin Slidell,La born and bread
i enjoyed the movie great balls of fire. best wishe s fo the future. i hope to see you at one of concerts in the future.if possible please inform me of dates and locations.thanks.
HEY MR. LEWIS……..I HEARD YOUR PREACHING & DOING GOSPEL MUSIC NOW?
LOVE TO HEAR-
REV. B DOWELL
Jerry you rock and the rest of the world can kiss your ass
You are a legend!
Salut Jerry Lee.Tu n’es pas le meilleur mais le plus grand des rocker,un rocker de St genevieve des Bois Essonne France.
Hi Jerry Lee, I saw you live in London back in ‘72 if I remember the year correctly. The London Great Rock n Roll concert at Wembley Stadium. Saw many, many fantastic acts but you were the top of the tree! My absolute all time hero.
My Dad was a n old Jazz Father during his days on this earth! He would work on Monday til Friday and played on the week ends! I miss him most every day!
Thank you Jerry Lee Lewis! Thank you for being the greatest! Thank you sir because your music has brought me so much joy! Thank you!
Hey Jerry ! Want to remind you of a great gig of yours ! July 4th 1992 LA County Fairgrounds when you did a double bill with Glen Campbell ! Smoking ! I’d always hoped that this was recorded or filmed ! All the best, from a SF Based Singer / Songwriter ! Keith D
I am one of the original teenie boppers from 1957. Spent this past weekend listening to you. What memories. I listen to country radio and have been noticing piano riffs being introduced in country songs of late. Guess it is coming back.
A friend in 1957 claimed to be related to you in 1957. Her maiden name is Benjamin.
I went to your shows twice. Once in Amarillo Texas and the other in McAllen Texas.
You’ll remember me – I was up front.
Best
Thank you for the music. It made the pandemic more bearable for my family.
Hi Jerry I am a big fan of yours and I just wanted to ask if you knew the Andrews family in Ferriday la? My dad use to walk with your younger sister and my grandmother bought your moms sewing machine from her. I absolutely love your music and my late father use to listen and Brought us up listening to the lovely music like yours. I would love to meet you sometime I have a special needs son with brain and heart tumors and my time is taken up with him but I hope you are doing well. I too was born in Ferriday La at Beauguard Memorial Hospital not sure if it still exists. My aunt still lives in Ferriday and I would love to go back to visit in some point in my life. well I like I said I hope you are doing well.
I’ve always enjoyed your pumping piano and voice. I was able to see you in person on two occasions, the first in the Detroit area in 2004 when you appeared with Little Richard and the second in Red Wing, Minnesota. I met Jacob Tolliver and Jerry Lee Lewis III that afternoon before the concert. Your son said to stop at The Lewis Ranch which I was finally able to do in March of 2019. I was the only one on tour that day and I spent about an hour-and-a-half taking in everything I could. Hope you are continuing to improve daily in your health. God Bless You!
Jerry Lee, I am an old lady now, but have danced and sung to your music since I was a toddler. You have been with me all my life. I’ve never had the priveledge of attending one of your concerts or even tried to write to you before. I write now as this may be my only chance to talk to you. Your music literally made me come alive when I was young. Setting fire to your piano on stage was epic, challenging Elvis to a fight was legendary, playing your pianos so hard you broke them displayed your immense power of youth. I salute you for changing the world. Come visit me please.
Hi Jerry Lee, My name is Jack Boyd and one of my earliest memories is seeing you on Ed Sullivan. The very first record I ever bought was not a 45 like most kids but was your album The Return of Rock. What a great polished sound and amazing piano and singing in that album. You know its funny I bot many more of your albums after that one but to this day 55 years later it remains my favorite. God bless you and thank you for all the can’t sit still boogie woogie rock and roll and country music you have graced the world with. Thank you Sir.