Jerry Lee Lewis - Great Balls Of Fire (Saturday Night Beechbut Show Feb 14, 1958)
Jerry Lee Lewis (born September 29, 1935) is an American rock and roll and country music singer and pianist. An early pioneer of rock and roll music, Lewis was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 and his pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked him number 24 on their list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. In 2003, they listed his box set All Killer, No Filler: The Anthology number 242 on their list of "500 greatest albums of all time."
Lewis was born to the poor family of Elmo and Mamie Lewis in Ferriday in Concordia Parish in eastern Louisiana, and began playing piano in his youth with his two cousins, Mickey Gilley and Jimmy Swaggart. His parents mortgaged their farm to buy him a piano. Influenced by a piano-playing older cousin Carl McVoy (who later recorded with Bill Black 's Combo), the radio, and the sounds from the black juke joint across the tracks, Haney's Big House, Lewis created his style from black artists who were unable to play to white audiences, mixing rhythm and blues, boogie-woogie, gospel, and country music, as well as ideas from established "country boogie" pianists like recording artists Moon Mullican and Merrill Moore. Soon he was playing professionally.
Lewis played at clubs in and around Ferriday and Natchez, Mississippi, becoming part of the burgeoning new rock and roll sound and cutting his first demo recording in 1954. He made a trip to Nashville around 1955 where he played clubs and attempted to drum up interest, but was turned down by the Grand Ole Opry as he had been at the Louisiana Hayride country stage and radio show in Shreveport. Recording executives in Nashville suggested he switch to playing a guitar.
Lewis travelled to Memphis, Tennessee in November 1956, to audition for Sun Records. Label owner Sam Phillips was away on a trip to Florida, but producer and engineer Jack Clement recorded Lewis's rendition of Ray Price's "Crazy Arms" and his own composition "End of The Road". During December 1956, Lewis began recording prolifically, both as a solo artist and as a session musician for such Sun artists as Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash. His distinctive piano playing can be heard on many tracks recorded at Sun during late 1956 and early 1957, including Carl Perkins' "Matchbox", "Your True Love", "You Can Do No Wrong", and "Put Your Cat Clothes On", and Billy Lee Riley's "Flyin' Saucers Rock'n'Roll". Until this time, rockabilly had rarely featured piano, but it proved a highly influential addition and rockabilly artists on other labels soon also started working with pianists.
Lewis's own singles advanced his career as a soloist during 1957, with hits such as "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" and "Great Balls of Fire", his biggest hit, bringing him to national and international fame, despite criticism for the songs' overtly sexual undertones which prompted some radio stations to boycott them. In 2005, "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" was selected for permanent preservation in the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress.
Lewis would often kick the piano bench out of the way to play standing, rake his hands up and down the keyboard for dramatic accent, sit down on the keyboard and even stand on top of the instrument. His first TV appearance, in which he demonstrated some of these moves, was on The Steve Allen Show on July 28, 1957, where he played the song "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin On." He is also reputed to have set a piano on fire at the end of a live performance, in protest at being billed below Chuck Berry.
His dynamic performance style can be seen in films such as High School Confidential and Jamboree. He has been called "rock & roll's first great wild man" and also "rock & roll's first great eclectic." Classical composer Michael Nyman has also cited Lewis's style as the progenitor of his own aesthetic. ~ SOURCE: Wikipedia
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Gold, this metal head came here coz he just heard Jerry passed away, he was a true rebel of his time, I take my hat off to you sir, rest easy mate
The true definition of a 50's rock star. Unrefined, outrageous, controversial, raunchy, and wildly entertaining! Jerry Lee Lewis is definitely in a class of his own. What I love about him is the fact that he didn't turn his back on his fans over some tabloid bullshit. He's still the same today as he was back then.
@rogermazy4896
2 жыл бұрын
he broke taboos, he broke conventions, he broke morals and he was not a rebel: he was the first real rocker.
@tommyscollection
2 жыл бұрын
@R A R No need to project your personal problems on us rockers!
@rwfrench66GenX
2 жыл бұрын
Inbred?
@Endsomniac
2 жыл бұрын
Chuck Berry is better, this guy didn’t write this song. Chuck Berry wrote his own songs.
@wildbill7081
2 жыл бұрын
@@Endsomniac this is about Jerry Lee Lewis (come on ) .....if you want to talk about Chuck Berry there are lots of videos to comment and yeah he was great just as Jerry Lee is great and there were a lot more great old rock n rollers
Lord, I can't imagine seeing this guy live in the 50s. It would've been crazy.
@rwfrench66GenX
2 жыл бұрын
The only groupies were at family reunions!
@tandmm
Жыл бұрын
He was fabulous. Saw him twice in 58 or 59 at a club in Toledo Oh.
@86londongirl
Жыл бұрын
@@tandmm Lucky you 😮 I’d give anything to timetravel back to the 50s and experience it all for myself!
@jozefhatert6231
Жыл бұрын
@@tandmm where the shows really that wild?man you lucky
@BBPalmer420
9 ай бұрын
@@rwfrench66GenXand cousins! They were both groupies and cousins back in them days.. sure do miss them days
He really reminds you why the piano is a percussion instrument...
@morejoy5188
5 жыл бұрын
YES INDEED
@janicerigsbee4129
5 жыл бұрын
I know right !
@jimmiegordon4190
4 жыл бұрын
It has strings
@thomasblock9750
4 жыл бұрын
Jimmie Gordon so does a snare drum, they're just metal
@josephprince3111
4 жыл бұрын
Jimmie Gordon it’s still classed as a percussion
This is rock n roll ...this is punk this is metal this is the killer
The world definitely wasn't ready for a man like Jerry Lee Lewis, and it showed.
@chrysalissartorious7648
2 жыл бұрын
The Jim Morrison of his time, perhaps?
@lucaskoning7118
2 жыл бұрын
Maybe because he married a 13 year old. Thats the only reason
@johndaniels7609
Жыл бұрын
@@lucaskoning7118 I'm not sure about 13, but it was common in the 50s and 60s for underage girls to marry. My mom was 16 when she married my dad. Nobody thought anything of it back then.
@dailymeditateandchill3262
Жыл бұрын
@lucaskoning7118 well, this was before that happened, so that doesn't apply to this performance
@chuckp1832
6 ай бұрын
The status quo wanted to kill rock n' roll music. The whole persecution of Jerry Lee for marrying an underage girl was more about that than anything else. I am sure there were plenty of underage women wed back then. (Think Appalachia) The USA was closing in on being a theocracy back then-not so great.@@lucaskoning7118
Interestingly I was born November 2,1958. Nine months later from this show airing. No need to Wonder what my mom and dad were doing that night? 😂
@Uncle_Dolphin
5 жыл бұрын
Oh dear
@adamaj74
5 жыл бұрын
Your mom was pretending your dad was Jerry Lee Lewis... 😉
@chadthefratboi1334
5 жыл бұрын
You are old
@RugajRozoj
5 жыл бұрын
Sir, your dad got a pair of great! Balls of fire! 😂😂😂😂😂
@Sockpuppet2012
5 жыл бұрын
There musta been a whole lotta shakin' goin' on ;-)
We played this at my dads funeral. Dad was a true teddy boy who loved this song. He always said he’d want it at his cremation. Very appropriate. Miss you dad. RIP Mike Bailey. - the best.!!!!!
@Jase73
3 жыл бұрын
@@patricklucas3166 Wow what a lovely comment My dad passed away March 4th 2019 he was born 1939, me in 73. It’s hard not having them around but we have to carry on, they live on in us and our children. We have to keep listening to their music. Take care bud. Be safe.
@bikersoncall
2 жыл бұрын
I learned a new phrase; 'Teddy Boy', had never heard that, it's British for; Rock subculture youth, back in the day, haha, Rock on!!
@Jase73
2 жыл бұрын
@@bikersoncall I’ve learned a new phrase too bud. “Rock subculture youth.” Love it. 👍
@bikersoncall
2 жыл бұрын
@@Jase73 😁👍
@John_Connor556
2 жыл бұрын
RIP to your Dad, he had great taste in music 💯🔥🤙
Jerry's hair keeps the beat going. He was a wild thing.
@jerryleelewis4059
3 жыл бұрын
Hello Thanks for your comment and supports, your comments and constant support has brought me this far. Keep Supporting ❤️ Please send me a mail via jerryleelewis983@gmail.com
@joshuabrooks4907
2 жыл бұрын
He still is, despite being in his late 80's now.
R.I.P. Jerry Lee Lewis (1935-2022)🕊 Another amazing musician has left us My thoughts and prayers go out to his family, friends and loved ones during this very difficult time💔😔
@codyzellmer1998
Жыл бұрын
He was the last member of the Million Dollar Quartet. Wish I had continued to play piano, I’d love to play like he could.
@khadennowack9303
Жыл бұрын
@@codyzellmer1998 I feel the same way man, I used to play Piano and wanted to become a professional Pianist. Unfortunately I have other skills and wanted to shift focus towards work.
@marielihernandez545
Жыл бұрын
😭😭😭😭 Rest in peace
@bits_for_bytes
Жыл бұрын
Crazy to think, probably every single person in this video is no longer with us…
@chemicalspore
Жыл бұрын
RIP to the cousin lover
R.I.P to the original bad boy of rock 'n' roll.
Jerry Lee was wild
Jerry Lee Lewis is timeless and iconic. His piano playing and singing is still fabulous today. No wonder My Mom and her friends loved him.
Dies, comes back to life and then dies again 2 days later. A showman to the end. RIP Killer.
The Killer...... RIP. I lift my glass in a toast. Someday we will jam again on the other side. God bless you.
The last King has left the Building. R.i.P. JLL
Today is Jerry Lee's 85th birthday. I love you Jerry Lee ❤🎹
@jonburrows2684
3 жыл бұрын
Love you more
@elisecliftonklitz
3 жыл бұрын
@@jonburrows2684 Happy Birthday King🎂🎉🎂🎉
@jonburrows2684
3 жыл бұрын
@@elisecliftonklitz well thank you honey, thank you very much!
@elisecliftonklitz
3 жыл бұрын
@@jonburrows2684 today is also the 10th anniversary of my KZread channel. I purposely created it on your birthday!
@elisecliftonklitz
3 жыл бұрын
@@jonburrows2684 OMG. My bad. Your birthday is tomorrow 🎉🎉
R.I.P Jerry Lee Lewis 😢
R.I.P. Jerry Lee Lewis
R.I.P. JERRY 😥😢
damn kids and their rock n roll...
@marioguti9887
6 жыл бұрын
hiraldo mcgoo lol
@Uncle_Dolphin
5 жыл бұрын
You don't hear that very often today
@kodiedavis1137
4 жыл бұрын
Fuck you
@Nick-qf7vt
3 жыл бұрын
@@kodiedavis1137 You too shitlord
@diegoanthonyherrera9952
3 жыл бұрын
nice BLUES
Rip Jerry lee Lewis 😢 🙏 💔
May you rest in peace, thank you for the music...
R.I.P. Jerry Lee Lewis 2022...
And that's why they call him "The Killer"!
Rock & Roll Legend, theres something that cant be taught
Goodness gracious… RIP Killer
For me this is one of the greatest songs of all time. RIP Jerry
R.I.P. Jerry oct 28,2022...
Hard to comprehend now how insanely groundbreaking stuff like this was at the time…RIP to The Killer.
Bumping this in my car in 2024 and singing along
@johnnyswake1327
Күн бұрын
Same brother
Rest in Peace Mr.Lewis
Awesome.
Today we have lost another rock n roll legend. Jerry Lee Lewis sadly died today at the age of 87. RIP wild man.
I love that drummer, sounds 50's punk.
@E171955
4 жыл бұрын
Tyler Basho Brandon - That’s Russell Smith - JLL ‘s original road band drummer who stayed with him until the early 1970’s!
@Colinshreds69
3 жыл бұрын
No
Rest in peace dear Jerry🌊
Goodbye Jerry Lee you were part of my rock and roll history.
Lordy, the folks who considered Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis obscene would go apoplectic over what is on the internet today. Watching this brings back many wonderful memories of a bygone sweet time.
Rest in Peace ya piano playin fool! Thanks for the rock and roll.......
REST IN PEACE DEAR MR JERRY LEE LEWIS...TRUE ROCK AND ROLL LEGEND
RIP the BEST and the last of pioneers of rock and roll
Im 25 and I grew up with 2000 pop which i still like. But the more I mature the more I appreciate 50s-80s. It really gets me melancholial… I which I could have lived at this time to just experience this live
Sadly he is the last of the greats to pass away today :(
He was pure action from the get go..Lucky enough to seen him live.
I love this man! To me he is the true beginning of Rock and Roll! Nobody like him EVER!! God Bless
I don't know what some come on here to rip Jerry or Elvis. Anyone of you would give a million bucks to bang on that piano and sing like that. Take that back you would give your soul if you had one. This is entertainment at it's finest. How much would you give for a ticket back in time!!!!
Rest in peace - the one and only engineer of rock piano. I loved your music since I was 6y old ❤️🔥😢🌹
Rest in peace jerry lee
I was in the US Army where we got to see him on TV and we loved it.
Hopefully the angels & saints up in heaven aren't too disturbed by that old piano breakdown! RIP Killer
Most people open a door & enter a room with some civility. And some people kick the door off its hinges & light the room on fire- thank you Jerry Lee Lewis for some timeless rock n roll!
RIP Jerry your music will make everyone dance in heaven !
Thank you for this video. I'm learning to play the piano just so I can play this song. America has gone dangerously woke and needs people like The Killer to lead us back to sanity.
Jerry Lee.. Happy 85th birthday 9/ 29/ 35 Ferriday, LA You have lived a few lifetimes.. Here's to a few more... God Bless.. Your the true, "King"...
did he raise some hell in 50,s man gotta love him
@stwrthnn
6 жыл бұрын
Made Elvis look like a geek.
The visuals they made for him for this appearance were the best I've ever seen I think this was his greatest performance
RIP JERRY LEWIS... 😔😔😔 We Will remember you!
Great Balls of Fire!! We've Lost Another Rock & Roll Hero!
Chris B, if you’ve made it to here, you remember. Remember the night in Long Island long ago. You remember just as you remember my eyes. I love you eternally x, Cindy
last man standing RIP Little Richard
RIP to this man. 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹
RIP Jerry Lee Lewis
This was way before my time, yet I still know music won't be made like this anymore!
Rest in Peace Jerry Lee Lewis
RIP Jerry Lee Lewis, Rock In Paradise!
Rest In Peace Jerry Lee Lewis.
1958 was the greatest year in rock and roll.
This is the ultimate Turing Test. If this performance doesn’t affect you, you are not human.
@rwfrench66GenX
2 жыл бұрын
That’s not what the Turing Test is for but I got a laugh, thanks!
@kickfloeb
2 жыл бұрын
It was really annoying. Guess I am a human after all!
Me and my Brother watched Beechnut show every Saturday. We love Beechnut Spearmint Gum....I remember this night. Bro' and I dug this song and finally Jerry Lee was on TV. My Father came in the living room and said, "get that negro hating dog off the television" but Mom shouted, Leave those boys alone! The fireballs that flew across the screen drove us nuts! Jerry Lee Lewis always claimed to be Klan but lots of Black folk gave him a pass cause he was so great.
@TheToocold
3 жыл бұрын
@@patricklucas3166 Yo! I read an interview The Killer gave in Esquire magazine back in 1981 or 1982, the Reagan/Supply Side era. The politics were kind of reactionary at that time. I certainly wasn't surprised or hurt by that comment given by a white man born in the1930's rural Louisiana. He also said that he and other musicians played with Black musicians and they swapped Blues and Country. Can't condemn a man . The press always baited him his whole life. Well I love the guy, important American artist. Started listening at 7, still listen at 70.
@TheToocold
3 жыл бұрын
@@patricklucas3166 Question, my friend...how come Australia produces so many great Rock and Blues musicians?
Nobody bangs on the keys like Jerry Lee!
@CraigLockley
7 жыл бұрын
Matt Schmissrauter or his cousin
@marioguti9887
6 жыл бұрын
Little Richard?
@abbiebeast
6 жыл бұрын
Just rappers - oh sorry I thought you said "triggers"
@nelahidalgo3984
6 жыл бұрын
Listen Matt we don't give a fuck
@carl5381
6 жыл бұрын
or kids
RIP Jerry Lee Lewis (September 29, 1935 - October 28, 2022), aged 87 You will be remembered as a legend.
Jerry Lee Lewis..little Richard the only rockers left !
RIP JERRY LEE LEWIS
Now this is real rock music not like metal or punk music
Working girl apparently had a different meaning in olden times
@bosconian901
7 жыл бұрын
miapiare 😁 yup
@adamhonestyanddecency5054
6 жыл бұрын
miapiare Ha. I thought the same thing.
@KreemieNewgatt
4 жыл бұрын
Or, could be she's a hoo-uh
@bryanstephens3312
3 жыл бұрын
I was wondering where the reporter was going with his questioning.
@SomalieDXB
3 жыл бұрын
Wow she is such a fan too. Her activities as a fan club president just makes the heart ache for such fandom
Dig the drummer: shades and a white bow tie. Cool cat.
Thank you Little Richard for inspiring others
I love his phrasing of certain lines in these live performances. And he seldom sings them exactly the same way twice. It was however the spirit moved him at the time.
Much better than any Beatles shit by far.....RIP Jerry Lee Lewis.
As a young teen, I always saw the danger in him. So one of a kind. Fabulous Rock and Roll. Long live The Killer!
Jerry, your the last 1950s rock n'roll singer, stay healthy
@MrOystein1977
3 жыл бұрын
The day he pass away will be a very Sad day indeed... He is the last living legend of the rock and roll pioneers... ❤️🎶🎹
How can people hate this is part of American music and he was amazing
Pyrotechnics too...imagine what than would have been like seeing that back then!
50's style punk rock.
@dismagioelecocco9659
3 жыл бұрын
More Hardcore here than 99% of current scene
Of all the Founding Fathers of Rock, he's all that we have left.
@king_fresh27
4 жыл бұрын
I didn’t know he was still alive
@chineseslaves1971
3 жыл бұрын
A lot can be traced back to him and the other two..Chuck Berry and Little Richard.
@DOMICH59
3 жыл бұрын
@missbriteyes and of those, how many are still alive?
@jerryleelewis4059
3 жыл бұрын
Hello Thanks for your comment and supports, your comments and constant support has brought me this far. Keep Supporting ❤️ Please send me a mail via jerryleelewis983@gmail.com
The world had never seen something so outrages to this point, a great song and performer.
The Killer....one of the great rock n roll singers of all time.
This video captures the frenzied excitement of early rock n' roll. Jerry Lee wasn't a singer, and he was a mediocre piano player -- but he was an energetic entertainer. Parents hated him, but kids loved him, because he made music fun again. It all started with Jerry Lee, Elvis, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, and Bill Haley and his Comets. Today, those early rock n' roll performers look ridiculous and sound musically primitive, but for better or worse, they started a musical revolution. At the time, I preferred the smooth instrumental orchestrations of the Big Bands. I didn't think rock n' roll would last. How wrong I was.
Insane energy for 1958 ❤️
After Little Richards death I guess Jerry Lee Lewis is the only one left.
@joonpark2057
4 жыл бұрын
Well we also have Ronald Isley
@oldiesreviver9845
4 жыл бұрын
Plus Paul Anka, Pat Boone
@Klaatusman
4 жыл бұрын
I'm not so sure Jerry Lee will ever die! He's more pickled than Admiral Lord Nelson's return voyage from Trafalgar.
@nickames3808
4 жыл бұрын
Those 2.....Man! They performed together, at least once!
@QueenFan12
3 жыл бұрын
Yeah, I mean if we are talking about legitimate rockers here, Jerry Lee, 1/2 of The Everly Brothers, and maybe Dion if you want to count him are left from the original bunch of 1950s rock and roll artists that weren't pop like Frankie Avalon.
Nobody pounds a piano like Jerry!
This man made the piano a great instrument Also every note that was "wrong" was right for him
The man was good at playing the piano. That's all I got.
The voice cracks are happening and it still sounds good 👌
He is and forever will be The Piano Man ❤
Absolute Legend
True story. The killer had a microphone on his chest. He refused to lip sink. This what makes him the last of the greats.
Him and Bobby Darin really allowed for Elvis to be the capstone for the generation
Man if I was born during his time ide go insane after this guy too lol.
Every preacher in America that saw this performance tore up their sermon for the next day and preached on the evils of rock and roll. Lewis made Presley acceptable.
@keithmiliate7360
7 жыл бұрын
Robert Hudson Jerry's cousin is brother Jimmy Swagert the tv evangelist
@John1948SIxC
7 жыл бұрын
Another cousin is Mickey Gilley, the great country singer and founder of Gilley's in Pasadena, TX. They all learned piano at Jerry Lee's house on his Mom's piano.
@guitarcorrectness1879
7 жыл бұрын
Robert Hudson Jerry Lee Lewis was also known as "The Killer" hahahahaha!
@MGB18
7 жыл бұрын
You mean Elvis made Jerry acceptable.
@WesHuntermusicman
7 жыл бұрын
Lewis is the King