Great Balls of Fire
Rock ‘n’ roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis has died
Jerry Lee Lewis relaxedly accepted the applause of the fans at a concert in New York’s Madison Square Garden (1975). photo
© René Perez/AP/dpa
In the heyday of rock he could hold his own against the king. Jerry Lee Lewis survived Presley by a few decades – and celebrated worldwide success with songs like “Great Balls of Fire” and “Whole Lotta Shaking ‘Goin’ On”.
The last king of rock’n’roll is dead: Jerry Lee Lewis, who achieved world fame with songs like “Great Balls of Fire” and is one of the four kings of rock with the musicians Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry and Little Richard who have already died. n’Roll died on Friday at his home in Mississippi, aged 87, his agent told the German Press Agency. Lewis was considered one of the most influential artists in music history. “Elvis was the greatest,” Jerry Lee liked to say. “I was the best.”
Most recently, however, the musician with the nickname “The Killer” had to deal with health problems – including back pain and in 2019 a stroke and its consequences. Whenever he stepped onto the stage, he seemed very weak.
About a week ago, a picture was published on Lewis’ Instagram profile of musician Kris Kristofferson presenting him with the certificate of induction into the Country Hall of Fame. Lewis is pictured lying in bed with medication on the bedside table.
The US portal “TMZ” already declared Lewis dead on Wednesday, citing a spokesman for the musician, but the report was contradicted by confidants. TMZ apologized for the error.
John Lennon is said to have kissed his feet
Born in Louisiana in 1935, Lewis’ rock was a wild mix of jazz, country, R&B and boogie. He was among the first to be inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame. His fans also included numerous famous musicians who were influenced by his music: John Lennon, for example, is said to have kissed his feet when they first met.
Born into a family of Christian fundamentalists, Lewis’ rocker life was marked by drugs, violence, sex, debt and death. The rocker with the straw-colored hair hanging down his face was notorious for canceling concerts at the last minute. Most of the time, Jerry Lee “pumped” his piano standing up, sat or stood on it. In several live performances he lit the grand piano after the work was done.
An eventful private life
Lewis’ private life was scarcely less dynamic than his career. The son of poor farmers, his brother died early, was married seven times, the first time at the age of 16. He had just come of age as a father, albeit with his second wife. Altogether he had six children, two of whom died before him. His seventh wife, Judith Coghlan Lewis, was by his side at his death.
Marriage number three caused a scandal and was fatal to him professionally. He was 22 when he married his 13-year-old cousin, Myra Gale Brown. There was a storm of indignation in Britain and Lewis was forced to abandon his tour on the third night. He would never land another top 20 hit in the US.
Lewis and Myra’s son drowned in a pool in 1962 when he was three years old. The same fate befell wife number four. A 19-year-old son died in a car accident in 1973, and his fifth wife died in 1983, apparently from a heroin overdose. Lewis’ eventful life was filmed in 1986, starring Dennis Quaid, under the title Great Balls of Fire.
Heaven or Hell
Fear of being damned to hell for his music was something Lewis had repeatedly stated on record. “I was always worried about whether I was going to end up in heaven or hell,” he told the British Guardian in 2015. “I continue to worry at night before I go to bed. It’s a very serious situation. Where will I be after my last breath?”