Jerry Lee Lewis

Jerry Lee Lewis (September 29, 1935 – October 28, 2022) was an American pianist, singer, and songwriter. Known as "The Killer", he was a big name in rock and roll and rockabilly music. He started making music in the 1950s in New Orleans and Memphis, and soon became famous with songs like "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On", "Great Balls of Fire", and "Breathless".

Though his rock and roll career faced challenges, he found new success in country music in the 1960s and 1970s with songs such as "Another Place, Another Time". He continued to perform and record for many years, earning many awards including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. He was one of the first members of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Lewis was also part of an important group of musicians known as the Million Dollar Quartet, which included famous names like Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Roy Orbison, and Elvis Presley. His energetic performances and unique style made him a lasting figure in music history.

Early life and education

Jerry Lee Lewis was born on September 29, 1935, in Ferriday, Louisiana. He grew up in a family that loved music. From a young age, he played the piano with his cousins, Mickey Gilley, who later became a country singer, and Jimmy Swaggart, who became a televangelist. His parents even sold part of their farm to buy him a piano.

Jerry Lee started performing publicly when he was just a teenager, playing with a band at a car dealership in his hometown. He loved playing different kinds of music, including styles from artists like Stick McGhee and Moon Mullican. Later, he tried to study at a school called the Southwest Bible Institute in Waxahachie, Texas, but he was asked to leave after playing some music that wasn’t considered appropriate there. After that, he began performing in clubs, where he helped create the exciting new sound of rock and roll.

Career

J&M Studio

Jerry Lee Lewis made his first recordings in 1952 at Cosimo Matassa's J&M Recording Studio in New Orleans, Louisiana. He played songs by other artists and created his own unique piano pieces.

Sun Records

In 1956, Lewis traveled to Memphis to try out for Sun Records. The owner was away, but another musician recorded some of Lewis’s songs. Soon after, Lewis began recording a lot of music, both alone and with other artists. His lively piano playing became famous, and his songs started to gain attention.

Lewis’s early hits, like "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On", made him very popular. He was known for his exciting performances, where he would move around the piano in a fun way. His style influenced many other musicians.

Marriage controversy

Lewis’s personal life became public during a tour in Britain when reporters found out about his marriage to a young cousin. This caused a lot of fuss and ended the tour early.

Smash Records

When his contract with Sun Records ended, Lewis joined Smash Records. He recorded many songs, but none became big hits. He returned to Britain to perform, but his old scandals made it hard for him to get back on track.

Live at the Star Club, Hamburg

One big success came with a live album recorded in Hamburg in 1964. It showed Lewis’s powerful piano skills and energetic performances, and it is still considered one of the best live albums ever made.

Country comeback

Later in his career, Lewis found new success with country music. In 1968, he released "Another Place, Another Time", which became a big hit. He continued to have many country successes over the next years, mixing his unique piano style with heartfelt singing.

Grand Ole Opry appearance

In 1973, Lewis performed at the famous Grand Ole Opry just once. He played for a long time, longer than usual, and brought another musician on stage to sing with him.

The Session and Southern Roots

In the early 1970s, Lewis returned to pop music charts with new versions of old songs. He recorded albums with musicians from Britain and Ireland, and later made a rock album with a soul influence.

Later career

In 1979, Lewis changed record labels again. In 1986, he was honored by being added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He kept performing and recording for many years, even after health problems. In 2006, he released an album with many famous musicians as guests.

Lewis continued to perform and record until health issues stopped him. In 2022, a documentary about his life was released.

Artistry

Jerry Lee Lewis was known for his exciting performances. He often played the piano in unusual ways, sometimes using his fists, elbows, feet, or even climbing on top of the piano. His lively piano style became very famous in rock and roll music and inspired many other musicians.

Elton John said that hearing Jerry Lee Lewis play for the first time was amazing because he played the piano with so much energy. Lewis was especially famous for his "boogie-woogie" style, which has a steady beat and moving rhythm. He learned to play mostly by himself but was inspired by other piano players like his cousin Carl McVoy, Moon Mullican, and Paul Whitehead.

Legacy

Jerry Lee Lewis was honored with many awards for his music. In 1986, he received a special Grammy Award for an album of interviews. In 1998, his song "Great Balls of Fire" was honored by the Grammy Hall of Fame, and in 1999, another song, "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," received the same honor.

In 2005, he received a special award from the Recording Academy. In 1989, he got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2007, he was given an award by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and had special events held in his honor. He also performed at the 50th Grammy Awards in 2008. In 2019, he was honored with a marker in Mississippi for his work in country music. In 2022, he was named to join the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Personal life

Jerry Lee Lewis was married seven times and had six children. His early marriages included bigamous unions and a marriage to his young cousin. Sadly, some of his children passed away at a young age.

Lewis grew up with strong religious beliefs but often felt torn between his faith and his passion for music. Despite these challenges, he remained connected to gospel music throughout his life.

In his later years, Lewis faced legal troubles, including tax debt and public incidents. He passed away at his home in Mississippi in 2022 at the age of 87.

Selected discography

Jerry Lee Lewis released many albums throughout his career. Some of his popular albums include Jerry Lee Lewis from 1958 and Live at the Star Club, Hamburg from 1964. He also released albums like The Return of Rock in 1965 and Soul My Way in 1967.

Compositions

Jerry Lee Lewis wrote or helped write many songs. Some of his well-known compositions are "End of the Road" from 1956 and "High School Confidential" from 1958. He also wrote "Baby, Hold Me Close" in 1965 and "Crown Victoria Custom '51" in 1995.