Jerry Lee Lewis
The Killer
As a child he learned to play piano by ear and was performing in public by the time he reached his teens. At 21 he recorded his first single. Within a month he was recording with Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash. Soon after, in March 1957, he released his second single, the legendary Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.
Lewis's career soared from 1957-58 as he recorded a string of hits ranging from Great Balls of Fire to Breathless, then plummeted just as quickly when the world learned of his marriage to his 13 year old second cousin, Myra Gale Brown. Despite this, and a reputation for rowdy behavior, Lewis kept playing—for any who would listen—and began hitting the charts again by the late 1960's. His most recent album, Last Man Standing, released in 2006, was a top-seller on both the country and independent charts and reached 26 on the Billboard 200.
Known for his flamboyant piano and exhuberance on stage, Jerry Lee Lewis continues to tour, entertaining country and rock & roll audiences alike. You can learn more about the life and music of Jerry Lee Lewis by visiting the sites listed below and by attending this year's American Music Masters Conference on November 10th.
- Jerry Lee Lewis (Official Site)
- Jerry Lee Lewis (Wikipedia)
- Jerry Lee Lewis is 'Last Man Standing' (Associated Press Interview)
- Jerry Lee Lewis: Rock's 'Last Man Standing' (NPR)
- Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum: Jerry Lee Lewis Inductee Profile
- Rockabilly Hall of Fame: Jerry Lee Lewis
- Rockin' My Life Away: Listening to Jerry Lee Lewis
- Rolling Stone: Jerry Lee Lewis
- The Sounds of American Culture, Jerry Lee Lewis: 'Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On' (NPR)