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.
I have been a fan since the beginning. I went to your concert in CERRITOS , ca.
Hi I have loved your music since I was a kid. Thank you for all the years of great music.
Just inherited Mom’s 45 of “Great Balls of Fire” on Sun. Her great grandkids love it!
Thanks for the music.
I recently had `Great Balls of Fire` played at my Dad`s funeral as we saw you when you came
to the UK in the 80`s. It bought back many happy memories. I am able to remember my great
Dad because of our shared love of your music. Thank you Jerry.
have always been a fan and as I get older the music , in my estimation, has died. There are few greats left and fewer coming up. God Bless you Mr. Lewis.
Jerry, I saw a video in which you said that you did not know if you would be going to heaven or not due to all your past troubles/drug use/issues/marriages, etc. The good news (Gospel) is that God knew that you and I would never be “good enough” to get into Heaven by our own good deeds and religious works to merit good.
Therefore, in the bible from start (Genesis) to end (Revelation) God tells us in detail about His only Begotten Son, Christ Jesus who was fully human on earth yet lived a perfect life in the eyes of God because Jesus followed God’s perfect standards perfectly. Jesus Christ is the only human to ever live a perfect life in the eyes of God.
There’s only one way a person becomes saved from going to Hell and that is a personal choice you and I must make for ourselves. That choice is for each of us to stop knowingly and willingly doing wrong (admit to and turn away “repent” from our sins) and to place our trust into Christ Jesus’ fully paying the wages of your sins. Nothing more, nothing less. Read these verses for more information about the Gospel: Romans 6:23 Matthew 4:17; John 3:16-21 Romans 6:23
May this note find you well and receptive to the truth of Christ Jesus as told in the Holy Bible.
Thank you for all the tunes, Killer! Your music keeps my mood up in the bleak Stockholm winter. Hope you are well.
Linda and I want to wish you and your Family a Happy & Healthy 2022,also enjoy Valentine’s Day. My girlfriend Linda has your Sun 45RPM of Great Balls of Fire…. this is a treasured Keep Sake…SUN records are hard to find. Rock On from two 68 year old Boomers.
I heard about your stroke and your long way of recovering. I red about the miracle in the studio when you tried to play the piano and surprisingly succeeded. Maybe you could put these events to music to inspire all your fans and other people who have to fight and struggle to come back to normal.
I know you can do it because you still have it in you.
Keep on rockin’!
Hello Jerry Lee, I am honored to be here, I am an outlaw Country singer songwriter and guitarist, and just cut my second album at Sun Studios, with drummer JM Van Eaton, I’m very sure you know who I’m talking about! I love you’re music and so much, I’m going to put Whole lotta Shaking and great balls of fire and “what I say” on it. I was absolutely honored to play at the piano where you played and saw your cigar mark. Love ya, and hope to meet you someday! AmberLynn Browning
Keep on playing Killer!!!
shut up baby Im trying to sing
Thanks for all of the great music! How do I get an autograph?! –Matt.
Jerry Lee, my husband Larry Frye has been a fan of yours since he was15 years old or younger. He’s been an entertainer since he was 15 in clubs, has toured playing music and singing, he plays a mean piano and sings, In fact he played with you one time that he has told me about. He even wrote a song for you when you were very sick one time and gave it to one of your people. He and I were first girlfriend and first boyfriend when we were very young and too young to date but went our separate ways and didn’t see each other for 58 te years. Got back together on Facebook three years ago and got married within 5 months. You have been his mentor from the start and when he plays Great Balls of Fire people say he sounds like you playing the piano. I’ve tried to figure out a way for him to meet you again and just talk a little bit but just can’t figure out how. He actually has a phone number of yours but I haven’t tried to call it because I figure it may not be in service now. But he checks on you on the computer to see how you’re doing. Anyway just letting you know he’s maybe your biggest fan since he was a child. Hope you’re doing well.
Keep on Rocking!
Dear Jerry Lee,
I have been a mobile Dee Jay since 1975. I cant remember a show that I have done, where I didn’t play at least one of your songs. Whole Lot of Shakin’ gets the floor going every time for me. I’m adding nothing new here by piling on the accolades, so I’ll just say THANK YOU! May God continue to bless you.
Sincerely, Gup Gascoigne
Have been playing music (drums) since I was 14,stopped a while back, just playing the old vinyls, best wishes and good health, Ray Sperl
You are the true king of rock and roll. I never really cared for Elvis but you are the king. My Uncle David hirschberg wrote the original piano books I wonder if you ever had to use them
thank you very much for your art
WHERE IS JERRY LEE? WE WONDER HOW HE IS DOING.
Hello, dear one, I remember your playing at the Farmhouse in Ferriday when I was a teenager and not old enough to get in! We lived not far from it, so I could hear the wonderful music that you shared. Still a fan at 72. Blessing and peace to y’all.
Dear Killer,
Thank you so much for your energy and passion – they are so uplifting! 😊.
I just watched the VHS tape entitled “Jerry Lee Lewis… I Am What I Am.“ Seeing you on stage in the early days has left me breathless!!! There are great footage and interviews in it. I’m in my 60s now so I was just being born during your fabulous start. Your honesty to and the trust you place in life are tops on my list of a great human being. Here’s to perseverance!
Best Wishes for the New Year 2022!!!!
Health and happiness to you and your family.
❤️
Linda H
NYC
Keep on Standing and Rockin’, Jerry Lee! I just watched a you tube video of your 81st birthday-Loved it and how gracious you were to the audience! Many blessings to you and know that your fans care about you and always will. Nobody plays piano like Jerry Lee Lewis.
I have loved your music my entire life. Any time I meet someone who plays the piano; I always ask if they can play “Great Balls of Fire” and say, You are no piano player unless you can play that song! I would most certainly buy a ticket should you ever tour again. I hope you’re doing great. Thank you for your music.
I was 13 when I watched “Great Balls of Fire” and I was hooked immediately. The voice, the lyrics, the man. Fast forward to 2006 at Belterra Casino to where I was able to see the man in action. A dream come true. Non disappointment, amazed of his actions and his ability to wow a crowd. If you stare at a star long enough, all the other stars around it disappears. It was he and I in that arena along with his piano. When it was over, I knew I had just watched a living legend perform.