Jerry Lee Lewis, rockabilly pioneer has died at the age of 87 with his family by his side at his ranch in Desoto County Mississippi, just south of Memphis. It is reported he passed of natural causes.
The piano pounding singer produced 10 gold records with his biggest, 2006’s all-star duets release “Last Man Standing” selling more than half a million worldwide. He’s known for recording such rock standards as “Baby, Baby, Bye Bye,” “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin On,” “Great Balls of Fire,” “Breathless” and “High School Confidential.” Both “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On” and “Great Balls of Fire” have been named to the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Lewis was awarded the 2005 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award honoree.
Collaborator Kris Kristofferson once told USA Today that Lewis was “one of the best American voices ever.” He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
Lewis started playing piano as a self-taught participant of his church alongside his two cousins Mickey Gilley and Jimmy Swaggart. He was heavily influenced by the Grand Ole Opry’s radio broadcasts.
Working at Sun Studios as a session musician, Lewis played piano on numerous records by Johnny Cash, Billy Lee Riley and Carl Perkins. He was also part of the legendary Class of ’55 album with Cash, Perkins, Elvis Presley and Roy Orbison.
Lewis was known for his over-the-top and energy-filled performances. Pounding the keys while knocking over benches and jumping on top of his piano, even lighting it on fire, were familiar moves from the talented musician. It has been reported that Elvis Presley would not follow him on stage in performances, as he was upstaging all artists of the time.
His career stumbled when a British journalist reported Lewis secretly married his 13-year-old cousin, his third wife, when he was 22. Lewis was quickly blacklisted by the music industry and radio stations boycotted his music. His performance fees dropped from $10,000 a night to a mere $250 following the scandal.
Lewis found some success on the country music charts, including the Top 10 hit, “Another Place, Another Time,” followed by the #1 “To Make Love Sweeter For You,” among other charted songs, including “What’s Made Milwaukee Famous (Has Made a Loser Out of Me),” “Once More with Feeling,” “There Must Be More to Love Than This,” and “Me & Bobby McGee.”
Lewis had six children by seven different wives. He married his seventh wife Judith Brown in 2012 with whom he spent his final days. He is survived by his wife Judith, sons Ronnie, Jerry Lee Lewis III and daughters Phoebe and Lori Lee.
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