Jerry Lee Lewis was a singer and pianist who pioneered rock n’ roll with hits including “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” and “Great Balls of Fire.”
- Died: October 28, 2022 (Who else died on October 28?)
- Details of death: Died at his home in DeSoto County, Mississippi at the age of 87.
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Pioneer of rock n’ roll
Lewis began his career as a professional musician after being expelled from college at Southwest Bible Institute for playing scandalous music, including a boogie-woogie version of a Christian song. He began playing in clubs, and he recorded his first songs at Sun Records in 1956. Lewis’ music quickly caught on with young people hungry for the new sound of rock n’ roll, and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” made him a star. He followed its chart-topping success with hits including “Great Balls of Fire,” “Breathless,” and “High School Confidential.”
At Sun Records, Lewis was in good company with other rock n’ roll pioneers, and he was part of the legendary jam session that became known as the Million Dollar Quartet. Lewis was at the Sun studios, his first single set to be released in just a few days, when he made his way to Carl Perkins’ (1932–1998) recording session. The two were joined by Elvis Presley (1935–1977) and Johnny Cash (1932–2003), and they played a number of songs together. A quick-thinking producer recorded the session, capturing songs including “Jingle Bells,” “Don’t Be Cruel,” and, with Lewis on vocals, his upcoming single “Crazy Arms.” Photos snapped of the jam session have become legendary, and it inspired a Broadway musical.
The Killer’s live shows
Nicknamed “the Killer” as a child, Lewis inspired fans to use the moniker too as he boogied his way through intense stage shows. Like fellow pioneering rock n’ roll pianist Little Richard (1932–2020), Lewis played his keyboard standing up – and he also jumped atop it, banged on the keys with his elbows and feet, and kicked the bench across the stage. The wild shows energized his young fans and were as influential on the development of rock n’ roll as his boogie-woogie shuffle.
Scandal
Just as Lewis was at the height of his newfound fame, preparing for a tour in Europe, scandal sidelined him. The news broke that the 22-year-old Lewis had married his 13-year-old first cousin once removed, Myra Gale Brown. He had still been married to his second wife at the time of their wedding. Lewis seemed baffled by the strong negative reaction to the marriage news, but it temporarily sank his career.
It wasn’t the last scandal that would come out about Lewis. In 1970, Brown divorced him, alleging that he had subjected her to extreme physical and mental abuse, as well as cheating on her. Several years later, Lewis accidentally shot his bass player, Norman Owens; a few months after that, he was arrested outside Graceland. He had crashed his car into Presley’s famous homes gates, and he had allegedly intended to shoot Presley too. Lewis spent time in and out of rehab, and his fourth and fifth wives both died, one by drowning and one by overdose. Yet Lewis came back from the host of scandals and reinvented himself as a country singer.
Country music years
Ten years after his marriage to Brown soured him in the public eye, Lewis released the single “Another Place, Another Time,” which shot up the country charts. He leaned into his success in the new genre, recording chart-toppers for decades. His No. 1 country hits included “To Make Love Sweeter for You,” “There Must Be More to Love than This,” and “Chantilly Lace.” Lewis was still releasing successful country singles into the 1980s, and he released his last record, “Rock & Roll Time,” in 2014.
Influence and accolades
Lewis is widely considered one of the key influences on rock n’ roll, shaping the new genre alongside hitmakers like Little Richard, Fats Domino (1928–2017), Presley, and Buddy Holly (1936–1959). He was among the first class of musicians inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame when it opened in 1986, as well as a recent inductee to the Country Music Hall of Fame. He was honored with four Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Notable quote
“They said ‘Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On’ was a really vulgar record. I never thought there was anything vulgar in it. Risqué. They said the same about ‘Great Balls Of Fire.’ What are they talking about, risqué? All I hear is the beat, the rhythm, the words.” —from a 2015 interview for the Guardian
Tributes to Jerry Lee Lewis
Full obituary: The New York Times
