Lewis’ piano playing is considered as important in shaping mid-1950s rock music as musician Chuck Berry’s guitar playing.
A legend of rock music Jerry Lee Lewis is dead. He was 87 years old.
The US musician’s representative has confirmed the death. The death is also told in the musician’s own words on websites (you switch to another service).
Lewis died this morning in Desoto County, Mississippi. According to the spokesperson, Lewis died of natural causes with his wife by his side Judith.
Lewis had been ill in recent years and had recovered from a stroke in 2019.
Lennon kissed Lewis’ feet
Lewis was Elvis Presley along with key white-skinned artists of early rock’n’roll. His violent stage performance culminated in Lewis potentially setting his piano on fire.
Lewis’s musicianship on the piano is considered as important in the shaping of 1950s rock music as the musician Chuck Berry’s guitar playing.
Also a musician and Beatles star John Lennon’s known to have appreciated Lewis. He met Lewis backstage after a show in Los Angeles and knelt down to kiss Lewis’ feet.
Lewis was also successful in his career in country music.
Colorful and tragic civilian life
Jerry Lee Lewis’ civilian life was also very colorful. Among other things, he married his 13-year-old cousin in 1958.
Lewis was married a total of seven times. He was widowed twice and two of his children died in accidents.
Earlier this week, Jerry Lee Lewis’ death was falsely reported to the world, and a representative denied the death news at the time.
Jerry Lee Lewis’ hits include “Great Balls of Fire” and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.”