Jerry Lee Lewis, one of rock 'n' roll's last greats, passes away at 87
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The world may no longer be able to hear Jerry Lee Lewis perform, but we can reminisce on his illustrious music career that spanned more than seven decades until his final years.
The one-of-a-kind entertainer was confirmed to have passed away peacefully in his home in Mississippi at the age of 87 following a long bout with various illnesses.
Zach Farnum, the former drummer of Lewis, claimed that the musician used to tell him about the illnesses, explaining how he was told that he wouldn't make it to middle age–much less old age.
He recalled: 'He was told he wouldn't make it through midlife. He defied death in his old age just as he shrugged off the hard-driving, self-destructive lifestyle of his younger years, to play his music to a worldwide audience across seven decades, decorate the walls of his home with Grammys and gold records, and spawn a million outrageous stories – most of them true.'
'He was there at the beginning, with Elvis, Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Carl Perkins, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rest, and watched them fade away one by one till it was him alone to bear witness, and sing of the birth of rock 'n' roll.’
Jerry Lee Lewis, who was born and raised in Ferriday, Louisiana before moving to Memphis, Tennessee, was known as 'The Killer' amongst his fellow musicians and diehard fans.
The 'wild man' reputation came from his once-admired but now notorious stage antics that included lighting the occasional piano on fire.
In an incident alleged to have happened to one of Lewis' bandmates, he accidentally shot one of them with a bullet during one performance. However, the story was identified to be a publicity stunt between the rock star and his team.
He is one of the few music legends to be inducted into the first class of both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
According to reports, the musician told his wife Judith ahead of his final moments that he was welcoming the hereafter and that he was not terrified in his final moments.
Judith recalled: 'He [was] ready to leave.'
Jerry Lee Lewis has left his legacy across the music world, and we here at the SDC wish to send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends for their loss.
May he rest in peace.
It's always sad when we learn of the death of one of our music idols. We often feel like we have lost a part of ourselves. We may have grown up listening to their music, or we may have discovered them later in life, but either way, their music has had an impact on us.
What are your favourite Jerry Lewis songs? Better yet, are you a fan of the late musician? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
The one-of-a-kind entertainer was confirmed to have passed away peacefully in his home in Mississippi at the age of 87 following a long bout with various illnesses.
Zach Farnum, the former drummer of Lewis, claimed that the musician used to tell him about the illnesses, explaining how he was told that he wouldn't make it to middle age–much less old age.
He recalled: 'He was told he wouldn't make it through midlife. He defied death in his old age just as he shrugged off the hard-driving, self-destructive lifestyle of his younger years, to play his music to a worldwide audience across seven decades, decorate the walls of his home with Grammys and gold records, and spawn a million outrageous stories – most of them true.'
'He was there at the beginning, with Elvis, Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Carl Perkins, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rest, and watched them fade away one by one till it was him alone to bear witness, and sing of the birth of rock 'n' roll.’
Jerry Lee Lewis explains how he was warned he wouldn't live to be in middle age, much less old age. Credit: XAG AD/AP.
Jerry Lee Lewis, who was born and raised in Ferriday, Louisiana before moving to Memphis, Tennessee, was known as 'The Killer' amongst his fellow musicians and diehard fans.
The 'wild man' reputation came from his once-admired but now notorious stage antics that included lighting the occasional piano on fire.
In an incident alleged to have happened to one of Lewis' bandmates, he accidentally shot one of them with a bullet during one performance. However, the story was identified to be a publicity stunt between the rock star and his team.
He is one of the few music legends to be inducted into the first class of both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Country Music Hall of Fame.
According to reports, the musician told his wife Judith ahead of his final moments that he was welcoming the hereafter and that he was not terrified in his final moments.
Judith recalled: 'He [was] ready to leave.'
Jerry Lee Lewis has left his legacy across the music world, and we here at the SDC wish to send our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends for their loss.
May he rest in peace.
The musician was known for his antics on stage, earning him the nickname 'The Killer'. Credit: AP.
It's always sad when we learn of the death of one of our music idols. We often feel like we have lost a part of ourselves. We may have grown up listening to their music, or we may have discovered them later in life, but either way, their music has had an impact on us.
What are your favourite Jerry Lewis songs? Better yet, are you a fan of the late musician? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
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