Along with Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry and Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis was one of the greats of rock ‘n’ roll. He outlived them all, but now the world mourns Lewis too.
Los Angeles / New York (dpa) -. Mourning for a rock’n’roll icon: after the death of Jerry Lee Lewis, who achieved world fame with songs like “Great Balls of Fire” or “Whole Lotta Shaking ‘Goin’ On”, music greats like Elton John, Ringo Starr and Ronnie Wood nicknamed the artist “The Killer”.
Lewis died Friday at his Mississippi home at the age of 87. His seventh wife, Judith Coghlan Lewis, was alongside him, management said of him in a statement. “Without Jerry Lee Lewis, I would not have become who I am today,” wrote Elton John (75) on Twitter for a joint photo of the two musicians. “He was revolutionary and exciting and he shattered the piano.” In addition, he was a brilliant singer, the British pop star paid tribute to the deceased.
Without Jerry Lee Lewis, I would not have become who I am today. He was revolutionary and exciting and he pulverized the piano. Also a brilliant singer. Thanks for your pioneering inspiration and all the memories of rock ‘n’ roll. #RIP pic.twitter.com/HytKkIV5Qo
– Elton John (@eltonofficial) October 28, 2022
“What a man,” Rolling Stones rocker Ronnie Wood (75) wrote on Twitter. He may the killer rest in peace. Gene Simmons (73) of the hard rock band Kiss praised him as a “rebel to the end”. Former Beatle Ringo Starr (82) wished Lewis’ relatives “Peace and love”.
For Hollywood star Dennis Quaid (68), Lewis was an “American icon” and the “greatest pianist in the world”. People would still hear his hit songs 500 years from now. “I will miss him,” wrote the actor on Instagram for a photo of the two together on a white grand piano. Lewis’s Eventful Life was filmed in 1986 with Quaid in the lead role under the title “Great Balls of Fire”.
Rock ‘n’ roll, fame and seven marriages
Along with Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry and Little Richard, Lewis was considered one of the kings of rock ‘n’ roll. Born in 1935 in the US state of Louisiana, the musician was among the first to be inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame. At the age of 16, Lewis ended the first of seven marriages. In total he had six children, two of whom died long before him. His turbulent personal life led to a career break when, at 22, he married his 13-year-old cousin, Myra Gale Brown. This triggered a storm of outrage in Britain and Lewis had to cancel his tour there.
Lewis, who has also released country hits like “Another Place Another Time” or “Would You Take Another Chance on Me”, was recently inducted into the “Country Music Hall of Fame”. Due to his influence, the musician had to stay away from the Nashville ceremony on October 16, according to his Instagram page. One of his closest friends, Kris Kristofferson, picked up the award on his behalf.
The 86-year-old singer and actor introduced them to him last week at his bedside. A shared image shows Lewis lying in bed with lots of medicine on the nightstand. The musician, who suffered a stroke in 2019, has had health problems for years.
© dpa-infocom, dpa: 221028-99-302452 / 7
