The Killer Is Dead

Sad news out of Mississippi as Jerry Lee Lewis has passed away.

Known as “The Killer” the controversial as well as highly flamboyant performer rocketed onto the fledgling world of Rock and Roll with masterful piano playing skills and wild stage shows which had teenagers rocking and most notably girls swooning.

Lewis was highly controversial when at the seeming height of his career and at age of 22 married his 13 year old first cousin once removed. At the time it was his third marriage.

Lewis was married seven times first marrying at the age of 16.

Lewis was Rock and Roll's first wild man on stage and was one of the most influential pianists of the 20th century.

His stage antics once included setting a piano on fire during a performance of his trademark song “Great Balls Of Fire”. This after starting his set with “ A Whole Lot Of Shaking Going On.”

According to legend Lewis during the playing of “Great Balls Of Fire” at the Paramount Theater in Brooklyn, New York Lewis took out a Coke bottle with gas and sorinkled it on the piano and kept playing.

The performance that evening included Buddy Holly and the Crickets, Chuck Berry, the Chantels, and others including Lewis.

The bad boy of Rock and Roll Lewis passed away today at the age of 87 following a serious bout of influenza the month prior left him in a severely weakened condition.

I would say RIP Jerry Lee but that is likely an insult because wherever you are you’re likely causing a ruckus and having a good time.