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.

Scandal

Lewis' turbulent personal life was hidden from the public until a 1958 British tour when reporters learned about the twenty-three year old star's third wife Myra Gale Brown, who also happened to be his thirteen year old second cousin. Jerry didn't consider this odd because marrying distant cousins was acceptable in the South at the time and Jerry's sister had been married at fourteen. The publicity however caused an uproar and the tour was cancelled after only three concerts.

Related Topics:
British - Myra Gale Brown

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The scandal followed Lewis home to America and as a result he almost vanished from the music scene. His only hit during this period was a cover of Ray Charles' "What'd I Say" in 1961. His popularity recovered somewhat in Europe, especially in the UK and Germany during the mid 1960s. A live album, Live at the Star Club, Hamburg (1964) recorded with The Nashville Teens, is widely considered one of the greatest live rock and roll albums ever. However, any comeback eluded him in the USA. In 1968 Lewis began focusing on country and western music, achieving several No. 1 and Top 10 country hits. Although he toured and played many sold-out concerts, he never regained the heights of success he had prior to the 1958 scandal although he had a major international hit with "Chantilly Lace" in 1972).

Related Topics:
Ray Charles - What'd I Say - 1961 - 1960s - Live at the Star Club, Hamburg - Rock and roll - Album - 1968 - Country and western music - Chantilly Lace - 1972

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