Jerry Lee Lewis (born September 29, 1935 in Ferriday, Louisiana, U.S. died … Read Full Bio ↴Jerry Lee Lewis (born September 29, 1935 in Ferriday, Louisiana, U.S. died October 28, 2022 in DeSoto County, Mississippi) was an American rock and roll and country music singer, songwriter, and pianist, as well as an early pioneer of rock and roll music. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Country Music Hall Of Fame in 2022. his pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. His nickname is The Killer.
Like Elvis Presley, he was raised singing the Christian gospel music of integrated southern Pentecostal churches. In 1950 he attended Southwestern Bible Institute in Texas but was expelled for misconduct, including playing rock and roll versions of hymns in church. Pearry Green (then president of the student body) related how during a talent show Jerry played some worldly music. The next morning the Dean of the school called both Jerry and Pearry into his office to expel them both. Jerry then said that Pearry shouldn't be expelled because "he didn't know what I was going to do." Years later Pearry asked Jerry: "Are you still playing the devil's music?" Jerry replied, "Yes, I am. But you know it's strange, the same music that they kicked me out of school for is the same kind of music they play in their churches today. The difference is, I know I am playing for the devil and they don't."
Leaving religious music behind, he became a part of the burgeoning new rock and roll sound, cutting his first record in 1954. Two years later, at Sun Records studio in Memphis, Tennessee, producer and engineer Jack Clement discovered and recorded Lewis for the Sun label, while owner Sam Phillips was away on a trip to Florida. As a result, Lewis joined Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash as stars who began their recording careers at Sun Studios around this same time.
Lewis' first recording at Sun studios was his own distinct version of the country ballad Crazy Arms. In 1957, his piano and the pure rock and roll sound of Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On propelled him to international fame. Great Balls of Fire soon followed, and would become his biggest hit. Watching and listening to Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis said if he could play the piano like that, he'd quit singing. Lewis' early billing was Jerry Lee Lewis and his Pumping Piano.
Lewis was a pioneer of piano rock, not only through his sound by also through his dynamic performance. He would often kick the piano bench out of the way to play standing, rake his hands up and down the keyboard for dramatic accent, and even sit down on it. His frenetic performance style can be seen in films such as High School Confidential (he sang the title song from the back of a flatbed truck), and Jamboree. These performance techniques have been adopted by recent piano rock artists, notably admirer Elton John.
Like Elvis Presley, he was raised singing the Christian gospel music of integrated southern Pentecostal churches. In 1950 he attended Southwestern Bible Institute in Texas but was expelled for misconduct, including playing rock and roll versions of hymns in church. Pearry Green (then president of the student body) related how during a talent show Jerry played some worldly music. The next morning the Dean of the school called both Jerry and Pearry into his office to expel them both. Jerry then said that Pearry shouldn't be expelled because "he didn't know what I was going to do." Years later Pearry asked Jerry: "Are you still playing the devil's music?" Jerry replied, "Yes, I am. But you know it's strange, the same music that they kicked me out of school for is the same kind of music they play in their churches today. The difference is, I know I am playing for the devil and they don't."
Leaving religious music behind, he became a part of the burgeoning new rock and roll sound, cutting his first record in 1954. Two years later, at Sun Records studio in Memphis, Tennessee, producer and engineer Jack Clement discovered and recorded Lewis for the Sun label, while owner Sam Phillips was away on a trip to Florida. As a result, Lewis joined Elvis Presley, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, and Johnny Cash as stars who began their recording careers at Sun Studios around this same time.
Lewis' first recording at Sun studios was his own distinct version of the country ballad Crazy Arms. In 1957, his piano and the pure rock and roll sound of Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On propelled him to international fame. Great Balls of Fire soon followed, and would become his biggest hit. Watching and listening to Jerry Lee Lewis, Elvis said if he could play the piano like that, he'd quit singing. Lewis' early billing was Jerry Lee Lewis and his Pumping Piano.
Lewis was a pioneer of piano rock, not only through his sound by also through his dynamic performance. He would often kick the piano bench out of the way to play standing, rake his hands up and down the keyboard for dramatic accent, and even sit down on it. His frenetic performance style can be seen in films such as High School Confidential (he sang the title song from the back of a flatbed truck), and Jamboree. These performance techniques have been adopted by recent piano rock artists, notably admirer Elton John.
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Legends
Jerry Lee Lewis Lyrics
All Night Long Fly right jockey, on a real bad horse, stilling Ninety miles…
As Long as I Live Gonna tell aunt Mary, 'bout uncle John, He claim he has…
Baby Baby Bye Bye Everything I say is wrong Everything I do goes wrong My hone…
Big Legged Woman Big legged woman Keep your dresses down You've got somethi…
Breathless Now, if you love me Let's please don't tease If I can…
CC Rider C.C. rider, see what you've gone done Lord, Lord, Lord, made…
Cold Cold Heart I tried so hard, my dear, to show That you're…
Cool Cool Ways Well, I said a-shake, baby shake, baby shake Till the meat…
Crazy Arms Now blue ain't the word for the way that I…
Don't Be Cruel You know I can be found sittin' home all alone If…
Down the Line DOWN THE LINE WRITER ROY ORBISON Well, you can't be my lovi…
Drinkin' Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee Down in New Orleans where everything's fine all them cats…
End of the Road Well the way is dark the night is long I…
Good Golly Miss Molly Good Golly Miss Molly, sure like to ball. Good golly, Miss…
Goodnight Irene Last Saturday night, I got married Me and my wife settled…
Great Balls of Fire You shake my nerves and you rattle my brain Too much…
High School Confidential Well open up, honey It's your lover boy me that's a…
I'll Sail My Ship Alone We've been sweethearts for so long But now you say we're…
I'm Feelin' Sorry I told a little lie, baby, I made you cry That's…
It'll Be Me Well, if you hear somebody knocking on your door If you…
Jailhouse Rock The warden threw a party in the county jail. The prison…
Little Queenie I got lumps in my throat When I saw her comin'…
Livin' Lovin' Wreck When you kiss me did you see What your kisses done…
Lovin' Up a Storm When our kisses fly like oak leaves Caught in a gust…
Matchbox [Chorus] Well, I'm sitting here wondering, would a matchbox …
Mean Woman Blues I got a woman Mean as she can be I got a…
My Blue Heaven Whippoorwills call, evenin' is nigh Hurry to my Blue Heaven …
Save the Last Dance for Me You can dance Ev'ry dance with the guy Who gives you the…
Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On Come on over, baby, whole lotta shakin' goin' on Yes I…
Wild One (Real Wild Child) Well, I'm just out of school I'm real real cool I got…