Tag Archives: Jerry Lee Lewis

“Given as much to the gutter as to the gods” — Nick Tosches

“He was born alone. He would die alone. These truths, he, like every punk, took to heart. But in him they framed another truth, another solitary, stubborn stone in the eye of nothing. There was something, a knowing, in him … Continue reading

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“When I get into that studio, I’m in another world. I love it. When I’m performing, that’s the real me.” — Billy Lee Riley

“Memphis 1955 on Union Avenue Carl and Jerry and Charlie and Roy And Billy Riley too…” – Johnny Cash, “I Will Rock’n’Roll With You” “and Billy Riley too” …. Billy Lee Riley was always a little irritated to be an … Continue reading

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“Either be hot or cold. If you are lukewarm, the Lord will spew you forth from his mouth.” — The Killer

“There is more of the Devil and of salvation — of the power of the eternal idea of those forces — implicit in that kicking than in all their crying unto heaven combined. And in this age of safe sex … Continue reading

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On This Day, 1957: Jerry Lee Lewis Kicks the Stool Back

Jerry Lee Lewis made his TV debut on the Steve Allen Show. The performance is terrifying. Who else is this terrifying? I suggested the Sex Pistols on Facebook. They did, indeed, terrify. But they were almost 20 years later. Jerry … Continue reading

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“Sometimes I am two people. Johnny is the nice one. Cash causes all the trouble. They fight.” — Johnny Cash

It’s his birthday today. Johnny Cash, singing “Man in Black” in Denmark: Here he is on Tex Ritter’s Ranch Party, 1956 or so. Great guitar solo, too. He’s not just strumming that guitar. The guitar CHUGS along, with an irresistible … Continue reading

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“I was looking for what was coming from a man’s soul and a man’s conviction. I didn’t care about his past. If it was innate and natural and felt good to him and it communicated.” — Sam Phillips

The myth. The legend. There’s a lot of bull shit with the legend, and saying that does not mean throwing out the whole thing. But Sam did have a way of placing him at the center of every story in … Continue reading

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“Great balls of fire! My friend, Roderigo!” Jerry Lee Lewis as Iago

A re-post in honor of the Killer. R.I.P. In 1968, there was a short-lived production of Othello in Los Angeles, a dream project of producer Jack Good, who wrote a loose adaptation filled with rock ‘n roll songs. He called … Continue reading

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Jerry Lee Lewis’ 1957 television debut shatters the foundation of civilization

I know so much ink has been spilled on this three minutes of television but that doesn’t mean I can’t (at least try) to write about it too. Jerry Lee Lewis made his TV debut in July 1957 on the … Continue reading

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How sweet the sound? Yeah, right. Jerry Lee Lewis howls at God.

Jerry Lee Lewis’ ferocious wailing version of “Amazing Grace” is hard to find – off an obscure album recorded in a Memphis church in 1970, following his religious conversion. I tripped over his “Amazing Grace” one day on YouTube – … Continue reading

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Peace in the valley for Jerry Lee at last?

I don’t know what it was, it’s been a stressful week and I’ve had to hold it together, but I heard the news about Jerry Lee, and I was sitting at my desk, during the work day, and I dissolved … Continue reading

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