Almanac Music: Jerry Lee Lewis – The Killer is dead!
Jerry Lee Lewis at JazzFest 2015 (Image CGR)
The Killer is Dead!
The last of the great rock n rollers has died.
Jerry Lee Lewis passed away yesterday aged 87 and brings to a close an era that began at Sun Records in the 50s.
Along with Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry, and others, he turned the music world on it’s head with his music, his flamboyant style, and for the times his outrageous performances at the piano.
I was fortunate to see Jerry Lee perform at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival in 2015. Though not as his best he still had the aura of that ‘one of a kind rocker’ he always was.
Jerry Lee finally makes it on stage (Image CGR)
He kept huge crowd waiting at Jazzfest. His sister, a mean piano player herself, filled in while Jerry Lee decided whether or not he would perform. He didn’t really want to be there; it was more likely he didn’t know he was there at all. Eventually, with his walking stick aiding him, he made it on stage to an adoring roar of appreciation from the audience.
A quick glance at the audience (Image CGR)
The ivories getting a good tinkling! (Image CGR)
Seated at the piano, he stared straight ahead with a solemn look on his face, sometimes his eyes fixed on to the piano keys, and rarely, very rarely, he turned to the audience, gave a brief smile and shake of the head, leant back then returned his eyes to the piano.
A list of songs at the ready for him to select from (Image CGR)
Jerry Lee played half a dozen songs at the most that day, including his biggies but it was enough to satisfy the crowd and acknowledged we’d witnessed one of the last great rock-n-roll survivors.
Rest In Peace Jerry Lee Lewis.
All photos taken by Col Ritchie at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival 2015.
More from Col Ritchie can be read Here
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About Colin Ritchie
Retired teacher who enjoys following the Bombers, listening to music especially Bob Dylan, reading, and swimming.
Watching Jerry Lee clips growing up was like watching Roller Derby. Hypnotically awful brilliant poetry. We knew a little of his upbringing and strange family relationships. Something dragged up out of the swamps by gators.
But the music. I loved “Chantilly Lace” and a pretty face. “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” and of course “Great Balls of Fire”. He didn’t play piano – he assaulted it. And like a battered wife it obeyed. He paraded the stage seemingly lost in performance frenzy while the band played on, then returned to the piano stool for another chorus and arpeggio.
Peter Townsend guitar smashing and Johnny Rotten snarls were all pale Jerry Lee homages. Vale’ Killer.
I only saw the ‘Killer’ once: an appropriate sobriquet for him.
I’d been @ the ‘G’ watching Geelong demolishing Melbourne in the first semi, September 1989. After the match I walked across to the Tennis Centre where I worked casual security . That night we had the ‘Legends of Rock; Chuck Berry, Col Joye, the Everly brothers, with of course the ‘Killer’ performing as well. The ‘Killer’ hammered out 3,4 songs, picked up his stool hurling it across the stage, then was gone.
All the original rockers are gone. I never saw Elvis, or Gene Vincent, let alone Eddie Cochrane, though I can always say I saw the ‘Killer’ once. Vale the ‘Killer’.
Glen!
Saw The Killer live at West Melbourne stadium (dunno what it’s called now) in early 1958. At least I think it was ’58.Can’t find my program altho’ have Bill Haley And the Comets one from cuppla years/18 months earlier. My most vivid memory of Jerry Lee is the spangled, purple suit he wore onto the stage.
And kept it on for most of his performance altho’ towards the end when he got into Great Balls of Fire tore the jacket, off, kicked the piano stool away and played standing up.
He was certainly great value for the money paid. Three of us went up on the train from Geelong to Spencer St. station and walked to the music venue.
Speaking about Bill Haley’s night, Col, the undercard was great. Not only Freddie Bell And the Bellboys (Giddy Up A Ding Dong) but the Platters also. They had the crowd in raptures especially when lead tenor Tony Williams hit the hi’ notes in Only You, Twilight Time, My Prayer and The Great Pretender.
Mind you tenor sax player Rudy Pompilli was a star turn in the Billy Haley set.Especially when lying on his back on top of a crouched band member, pumping out the high notes on the sax.
Mr. Phillips was the only man that Jerry Lee still would call sir.
(Carl Perkins Cadillac: Drive By Truckers)
Great rocker. Some of his story unsavoury.
Never saw Jerry Lee.
Saw Elton John doing hot-shot Jerry Lee impression in the rain at Memorial Drive, Adelaide 1971.
He nailed it with his early songs – and on the brilliant album Last Man Standing.