Rock ’n’ roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis has died. He was 87.
Associated Press reports that the pioneering musician’s representative Zach Farnum confirmed his death at home in Memphis, Tennessee.
Considered one of the earliest pioneers of rock’n’roll, Lewis was born on 29 September 1935, in Ferriday, Louisiana. He began teaching himself to play piano at the age of 9.
“Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin On”, released in April 1957, gave Lewis his first hit as a solo artist. The follow-up, “Great Balls of Fire”, was an even bigger success and became his signature tune.
Released in December 1957, it went on to be used prominently in films such as 1986’s Top Gun and this year’s sequel Top Gun: Maverick. The song’s title gave its name to a 1989 biopic, which starred Dennis Quaid as Lewis.
On 16 October, Lewis was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. According to a post on the musician’s official Facebook page he was “too ill with the flu to attend the ceremony.” Longtime friend and collaborator Kris Kristofferson accepted the honour in his place before driving to Memphis to present the award to Lewis in person.
