Jerry Lee Lewis, born on September 29, 1935, in Ferriday, Louisiana, was a pioneering figure in the early days of rock ‘n’ roll. His career, characterized by both extraordinary musical talent and controversial personal life, left an indelible mark on the music industry. Known for his wild stage performances and his unique blend of rhythm and blues, boogie-woogie, and rock ‘n’ roll, Lewis was one of the genre’s most influential and colorful characters. This article explores the life, career, and lasting impact of Jerry Lee Lewis, offering detailed insights into his journey, the challenges he faced, and the legacy he left behind.
Early Life and Musical Beginnings
Jerry Lee Lewis was born into a deeply religious and conservative Christian family, which had a significant influence on his early life. Despite the strict upbringing, which emphasized the values of the church, young Jerry Lee was drawn to the secular sounds of rhythm and blues, which he encountered in his local community. At the age of eight, his parents gifted him a piano, setting the stage for what would become a legendary career.
Growing up in Ferriday, a small town in Louisiana, Lewis was exposed to a variety of musical influences. His cousin, Jimmy Swaggart, would later become a famous televangelist, but in their youth, the two shared a love for music, albeit from different perspectives. While Swaggart warned against the “devil’s music,” Lewis was captivated by it, especially the raw energy and emotion of blues and gospel.
By the age of 15, Lewis was already performing professionally on local radio stations, showcasing his prodigious talent on the piano. His style, a fiery combination of boogie-woogie and rhythm and blues, set him apart from other musicians of the time. This early exposure to performance and the enthusiastic reception he received fueled his ambition to pursue music as a career.
The Birth of a Rock ‘n’ Roll Icon
In 1956, Jerry Lee Lewis traveled to Memphis, Tennessee, to audition for Sam Phillips at Sun Records, the same label that had discovered Elvis Presley. Phillips was immediately impressed by Lewis’s energetic piano playing and his ability to combine different musical genres into a cohesive, electrifying sound. This marked the beginning of Lewis’s rise to fame.
In 1957, Lewis released “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” a song that would become one of the most iconic hits of the early rock ‘n’ roll era. The track’s infectious rhythm, combined with Lewis’s pounding piano and wild vocals, catapulted him to stardom almost overnight. The single sold over a million copies and reached the top of the charts, establishing Lewis as a major force in the music industry.
Following the success of “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” Lewis released another hit, “Great Balls of Fire,” which further solidified his status as a rock ‘n’ roll superstar. The song’s explosive energy and Lewis’s dynamic performance style made it an instant classic. His live performances, where he often kicked over his piano bench, played the keys with his feet, and exuded an almost demonic energy, earned him the nickname “The Killer.”
Lewis’s contribution to rock ‘n’ roll was not just in his music but also in his stage presence. He introduced a level of showmanship that was previously unseen in popular music, blending the energy of gospel with the rebellious spirit of rock ‘n’ roll. His performances were a mix of musical virtuosity and raw emotion, which captivated audiences and set a new standard for live music.
The Scandal That Almost Ended It All
Despite his meteoric rise, Jerry Lee Lewis’s career was nearly derailed by a scandal that shocked both fans and the media. In 1958, during a tour in England, it was revealed that Lewis had married his 13-year-old cousin, Myra Gale Brown, while still legally married to his second wife. The news sparked outrage, particularly in the conservative and moralistic press of the time.
The scandal had immediate and devastating consequences for Lewis’s career. Concerts were canceled, radio stations refused to play his music, and his records were removed from store shelves. In just a matter of months, the rock ‘n’ roll star who had been at the top of the charts was shunned by the industry and the public alike.
Lewis’s response to the scandal was characteristic of his defiant personality. He showed little remorse for his actions, instead embracing the controversy as part of his rebellious image. However, the damage was done, and his career took a significant downturn. The scandal not only affected his public image but also had a profound impact on his personal life, leading to years of turmoil and struggle.
Reinvention and the Country Music Years
Following the scandal, Jerry Lee Lewis found it difficult to regain his footing in the rock ‘n’ roll world. However, he did not fade into obscurity. Instead, he reinvented himself as a country music artist, a genre that had deep roots in his Southern upbringing. In the late 1960s, Lewis began recording country music, and his efforts paid off.
In 1968, he released the single “Another Place, Another Time,” which marked his return to the charts, this time in the country music genre. The song was a hit, and it launched a successful new phase in Lewis’s career. Throughout the late 1960s and 1970s, he released a string of successful country albums and singles, including “What Made Milwaukee Famous (Has Made a Loser Out of Me)” and “She Even Woke Me Up to Say Goodbye.”
Lewis’s foray into country music allowed him to reach a new audience and reestablish himself as a respected artist. His country recordings were marked by the same intensity and emotion that had characterized his earlier rock ‘n’ roll hits, but with a more subdued and introspective tone. This period of his career demonstrated Lewis’s versatility as a musician and his ability to adapt to changing musical landscapes.
Personal Life: Tragedy and Turmoil
Jerry Lee Lewis’s personal life was as tumultuous as his career. Over the years, he was married seven times, with each marriage bringing its own set of challenges and controversies. His most infamous marriage, to Myra Gale Brown, lasted 13 years and produced two children, but it was marred by the scandal that nearly ended his career.
Tragedy struck Lewis’s life multiple times. In 1962, his three-year-old son, Steve Allen Lewis, tragically drowned in a swimming pool. This devastating loss was followed by the death of his other son, Jerry Lee Lewis Jr., in a car accident in 1973. These personal tragedies, coupled with his struggles with alcohol and substance abuse, took a heavy toll on Lewis, both emotionally and physically.
The 1970s were particularly difficult for Lewis, who was arrested multiple times for drug-related offenses and public intoxication. His personal life continued to spiral out of control, with his fifth wife drowning under mysterious circumstances, and his sixth wife dying of a drug overdose just three months after their marriage.
Despite these challenges, Lewis remained a resilient figure. He continued to perform and record music, refusing to let his personal demons completely derail his career. His ability to endure through such personal and professional adversity is a testament to his strength and determination.
Later Career and Legacy
Jerry Lee Lewis’s later career was marked by a series of comebacks, both in the studio and on stage. In the 1980s, he returned to his rock ‘n’ roll roots with a renewed vigor, releasing albums that paid homage to the music that had made him famous. His 1989 album Great Balls of Fire!, which coincided with the release of a biographical film of the same name, helped reintroduce his music to a new generation of fans.
In the 1990s and 2000s, Lewis continued to tour and record, often collaborating with other legendary musicians. His 2006 album Last Man Standing, which featured duets with artists such as Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, and Eric Clapton, was both a critical and commercial success. It demonstrated that even in his 70s, Lewis remained a formidable force in the music industry.
Lewis’s influence on rock ‘n’ roll is undeniable. His aggressive piano style, wild stage performances, and rebellious attitude helped shape the genre and set the stage for future rock stars. He was one of the first white musicians to incorporate the rhythms and performance styles of black music into his work, breaking down racial barriers in the process.
The Final Years
Jerry Lee Lewis’s health began to decline in the 2010s, but he continued to perform as long as he was able. His legacy was celebrated in 2013 when he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, a fitting tribute to his contributions to the genre. Even as his health failed, Lewis remained a larger-than-life figure, known as much for his personal excesses as for his musical genius.
On October 28, 2022, Jerry Lee Lewis passed away at the age of 87 from a heart attack. His death marked the end of an era, but his music and the legend of “The Killer” live on. Lewis’s life was a study in contrasts—musical genius and personal chaos, public adoration and scandal, triumph and tragedy. Yet, through it all, he remained true to himself, a testament to the enduring power of rock ‘n’ roll.
Conclusion
Jerry Lee Lewis was more than just a rock ‘n’ roll star; he was a cultural icon who embodied the wild, rebellious spirit of the genre. His contributions to music are immeasurable, from his innovative piano style to his electrifying live performances. Despite the scandals and personal tragedies that marked his life, Lewis’s influence on the music world remains undiminished. As we reflect on his legacy, it’s clear that Jerry Lee Lewis was a true original, a man whose life and music will continue to inspire future generations.
