Jerry Lee Lewis has died. The news of his passing was announced on October 28. Lewis was 87 years old when he died, after suffering health problems in the last few years.
Lewis was born in Louisiana, in a farming family that struggled to make ends meet. When he was just eight years old, Lewis began playing piano, quickly showing an aptitude for music. His first public performance was when he was just 13 years old, unaware that it was the beginning of career that would span decades, with success in both rock and roll and country music.
After failing to get a record deal in Nashville, Lewis traveled west to Memphis, with hopes of getting a deal on Sun Records. Although Sam Phillips, who ran Sun Records at the time, was out, Jack Clement recorded Lewis’ audition for the label, with Phillips immediately liking what he heard.
Lewis’ eponymous debut was released in 1958 on Sun Records. His first single, “Crazy Arms,” failed to make much headway at radio, but his follow-up, “Whole Lot of Shakin’ Going On,” became a big hit, and a launching pad for Lewis’ own style of music.
Lewis followed “Whole Lot of Shakin’ Going On” with “Great Balls of Fire,” which became the biggest hit of his career, becoming a No. 1 hit at country radio and No. 2 on the rock charts.
Unfortunately, problems in Lewis’ personal life, including marrying Myra Gale Brown, who was underage and his first cousin once removed, tarnished what seemed to be Lewis’ meteoric rice to superstardom. Undeterred, the tenacious entertainer continued to create music, regaining trust and popularity along the way.
Lewis scored 34 Top 20 hits at country radio between 1968 and 1981. He released more than 40 albums, including his Last Man Standing duets album, released in 2006, which sold more than a million copies.
Lewis was unable to attend his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame, due to his failing health. His wife, Judith and Kris Kristofferson accepted the honor on his behalf.
“Jerry Lee’s indelible mark as a rock & roller in no way obscures his impact as one of the greatest country singers of all time,” Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, says of Lewis. “He was the ultimate stylist, taking songs to places they could never have gone without his unique voice and soul. Known as ‘The Killer,’ in reality he was a reviver, resurrecting music and emotions.
“The country records he made with producer Jerry Kennedy will never be replicated or surpassed, and we were honored to recently welcome him into the Country Music Hall of Fame,” he adds. “Among the greatest of artists, he was, as his friend Kris Kristofferson put it, ‘a table-thumpin’ smash.’”
Judith also spoke about her husband, whom she wed in 2012, and his last several days.
“He is ready to leave,” she said, via a press release, adding, “He said he was ready to be with Jesus.”
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 numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements will be announced in the near future. Everything Nash extends our deepest condolences to Lewis’ family.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of 117 Entertainment Group / Sean Gowdy