Jerry Lee Lewis

Jerry Lee Lewis (born September 29, 1935) is an American rock and roll singer, songwriter, and pianist, as well as an early pioneer of the rock and roll movement. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.

Later career

In 1989 a major motion picture based on his early life in rock & roll, Great Balls of Fire, brought him back into the public eye. The film was based on the book by Lewis' ex-wife Myra and starred Dennis Quaid as Lewis, with Winona Ryder and Alec Baldwin.

Related Topics:
1989 - Great Balls of Fire - Dennis Quaid - Winona Ryder - Alec Baldwin

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The very public downfall of his cousin, television evangelist Jimmy Swaggart, resulted in more adverse publicity to an already troubled family. Swaggart is also a piano player, as is another cousin, country music star Mickey Gilley. Jerry Lee's sister Linda Gail Lewis is also a piano player and has recorded with Van Morrison.

Related Topics:
Jimmy Swaggart - Country music - Mickey Gilley - Linda Gail Lewis - Van Morrison

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Despite the personal problems his musical talent is widely acknowledged. Nicknamed The Killer for his forceful voice and piano production on stage he was described by fellow artist Roy Orbison as the best raw performer in the history of rock and roll music. In 1986 Jerry Lee Lewis was part of the first group inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Related Topics:
Roy Orbison - 1986 - Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

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That same year he returned to Sun Studios in Memphis to team up with Orbison, Cash, and Perkins to create the album Class of '55. This was not the first time he had teamed up with Cash and Perkins at Sun. On December 4, 1956 Elvis Presley dropped in on Phillips to pay a social visit while Perkins was in the studio cutting new tracks with Lewis backing him on piano. The three started an impromtu 'jam session' and Phillips left the tapes running. He later telephoned Cash and brought him in to join the others. These recordings, almost half of which were gospel songs, survived and have been released on CD under the title Million Dollar Quartet. Tracks also include Chuck Berry's "Brown Eyed Handsome Man", Pat Boone's "Don't Forgive Me" and Elvis doing an impersonation of Jackie Wilson (who was then with Billy Ward and the Dominoes) singing "Don't Be Cruel".

Related Topics:
Class of '55 - December 4 - 1956 - Jam session - CD - Million Dollar Quartet - Chuck Berry - Pat Boone - Elvis - Jackie Wilson - Billy Ward and the Dominoes - Don't Be Cruel

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Lewis has never stopped touring and fans who have seen him perform say he can still deliver unique concerts that are unpredictable, exciting, and personal. In February of 2005 he was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Recording Academy (which also grants the Grammy Awards). At the presentation it was announced a new album would be made with a line-up including Eric Clapton, B. B. King, Bruce Springsteen, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Later that year, after several years of inactivity in the studio, Lewis put out a new album. Titled The Pilgrim, it features an all-star cast of guests http://theband.hiof.no/albums/the_pilgrim.html.

Related Topics:
Grammy Awards - Eric Clapton - B. B. King - Bruce Springsteen - Mick Jagger - Keith Richards

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