Keep in mind in most of middle America at that time there weren't
many opportunities to see new performers. We didn't have much in the way of live rock and roll shows in our area, and of course we didn't have MTV. American Bandstand wasn't yet being televised nationwide, and TV variety shows still hadn't caught on to the trick of showing a pop star to boost their ratings. Most of our exposure to new performers was via radio, or of course records, but Jerry Lee Lewis was at his best when seen live and in all his glory, pounding the piano (or jumping on it) so wherever he performed a groundswell developed, but in many areas his popularity was slow to build.
Still, when Sun Records in Memphis began promoting him as one of their legends in the making (along with Elvis, Johnny Cash and Carl Perkins) he became a huge star, and even after his early scandals shot him down he kept performing for many years, eventually forging a solid and long-lasting career.
I'm including a couple of sample songs here that show two sides of the Killer. First is a slower, almost bluesy song that is not one of his more well-known tunes. Other singers have performed this song through the years, but his version has his own signature style. It's called "Matchbox".
Following that is his first big hit, one you've probably heard lots of times but it will still get you moving, "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On". Both can be found on the album Jerry Lee Lewis - Great Balls Of Fire.
Article comments
1 - Niek
Please check jerryleelewis.com or www.jerryleelewis.nl for info on Jerry lee's brand new album Last Man Standing. A fantastic album on which Jerry duets with artists like BB King, Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Willie Nelson and many more.
It will be released on sept. 26, make sure you get yourself one.
Niek
2 - Bliffle
IMO Jerry Lee Lewis' best release was the "London Sessions" some years ago.
3 - Vern Halen
JLL had an album produced by Andy Paley about 10 years ago that's quite "killer," no filler. Can't remember it's name, tho.
4 - Al Barger
Jerry Lee Lewis is a great example of the essential lameness of the term "oldies." For starters, "old" is a term relative to the person using it- see the classic Paul Simon song. "GOD is old- we're NOT old."
Still, Jerry Lee would be an oldies act by most any chronological definition- which is a demonstration of the useleness of chronological definitions for this stuff. Great music is timeless.
Vintage video of Madonna's "Like a Virgin" is a cute oldies time capsule on the 80s. It's a perfectly good song I suppose, but at this point it's mostly a nostalgic interest.
Whereas on the other hand, much chronologically older video of Jerry Lee Lewis still has nearly the same impact it must have had at the time. Jerry Lee in full effect in his rebellion against God is timeless literature. Dig for example this batch of images from Jerry Lee Lewis' famous breakthrough performance of "Whole Lotta Shakin'" on the Steve Allen Show from 1957 (part of HUNDREDS of Jerry Lee photos). That video will still quicken the blood of generations to come when Jerry Lee himself has long since gone on to answer to the guy with the pitchfork.
5 - Ray Boyle
I have an advance copy of this cd. RUN don't walk to get this asap. This is a great cd of classic rock and roll and should qualify for a grammy if there is a category.
Ray