Legends of Rock & Roll: Jerry Lee Lewis

Jerry Lee Lewis, also known as “The Killer”, and the “Ferriday Fireball” had a tumultuous career. Is there an early rock and roller who had the energy he had, who could play (or pound) a piano with the ferocity that Jerry Lee could? With an ego the size of Louisiana, he took the music world by storm in 1956 and, for a couple years, was on everybody’s lips. He really didn’t have that many pop hits in the Fifties. Six, in total and he never had a number one song. But, who among us has never heard of Jerry Lee? He certainly made his mark on the early history of Rock and Roll. What a lot of people might not realize is that Jerry Lee Lewis was a much bigger Country Music star than he was a Pop star.

This is a tribute to The Killer. It is not an exhaustive biography, it is more of a thumbnail sketch of his life and his music. I love the music of the Fifties and want to share that love with others. That is why I am writing this series.

When Jerry Lee Lewis was good, he was awesome. When he was bad, people turned against him. He had to re-invent himself midway through his career. This is the story of his life and, especially, his music.

Topics covered include:

Introduction
Getting His Start (his early years)
Million Dollar Quartet
"Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On" (his first big hit)
It All Comes Crashing Down (the public turned their back on him)
Personal Life
The Transition to Country (he re-invents himself)
Movie of His Life
Legacy
Selected Discography (singles and albums)
Afterward (my conclusion)