The famous American pianist and singer made his mark on the stage and also in the events pages of the time, in addition to signing several hits such as ‘Great Balls of Fire’
Wild blond hair, fury when hitting the keys, a magnificent voice to lengthen the verses longer than usual and above all a virtuosity on the piano gave Jerry Lee Lewis a prominent place in the first rock and roll, the one that went from the hand of other great figures of that genre that was born in a convulsive time in the United States, such as Chuck Berry or Little Richard.
Lee Lewis, nicknamed ‘The Killer’, died Friday at the age of 87 of natural causes at his home in Mississippi, his representative, Zach Farnumen, announced in a statement.
At the end of the fifties, in what is known as the golden age of rock and roll, before it led to pop or heavy music and even before The Beatles, Lee Lewis (Louisiana, 1935) was among those who characterized for energetic and challenging performances. He got up, kicked whatever was within his reach, hit and seemed capable of killing anyone who got between him and his instrument, the piano better if it was a grand. He once set it on fire on stage and another time he was arrested for entering Presley’s house armed.
His first single to tour his country from coast to coast was ‘Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On’ and then came ‘Great Balls of Fire’, which still resonates beyond nostalgia. He wasn’t a prolific songwriter but he knew how to bring songs like ‘Johnny Be Good’, by his friend and antagonist Berry to him.
Being a pianist, however, he knew how to open up space and give prominence to the distorted electric guitar in his performances, even more so live.
By then the great swing orchestras were already dwindling and what convinced, and drove, the new generations was that 4×4 structure that sometimes drifted into woogie or slowed down the tempo until it became a ballad worthy of proms. The letters, in addition, sailed in the double sense. In those years she recorded with Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.
beyond the music
His fame was not only due to his music. He married a 13-year-old girl who was his cousin, something that was leaked to the UK media when he was on tour in 1958. This was his third marriage, he was 22, and married seven times. When it became known, his concerts were canceled both there and in North America, and he was banned from radio.
His legend faded for several decades. So much so that when she returned to show business she did so as a country singer, a genre in which he did not stand out as before, but which earned him a new musical career.
In 1986 he was vindicated before public opinion with his election as a member of the newly created Rock’n’Roll Hall of Fame (Rock and Roll Hall of Fame), an honor he received along with Presley, Fats Domino and Berry. Also the actor Dennis Quaid embodied him on the big screen in a biopic named after his great musical success.
This Memphis musician who had a swimming pool shaped like a piano and who kept performing until about ten years ago and releasing ‘greatest hits’ records, is survived by four children (two predeceased him) and his last wife, who claimed in Lee Lewis’s death notice that the pianist had said he was “not afraid.” He also asked that no flowers be sent. In return, money can be donated in Lee Lewis’s name to MusiCares or the Arthritis Foundation.
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