Sun Records released a song in 1957 that moved one million copies in just ten days. That record was called Great Balls of Fire. It eventually topped five million sales while hitting number one in the United Kingdom. Jerry Lee Lewis did not just play the piano. He attacked it with a wild energy that made teenagers scream.
The man they call The Killer brings a heat to the stage that modern stars cannot touch. He balances a mix of polished country charm and loud energy that feels like it might go off the rails at any second.
Watch this medley below:
Jerry Lee Lewis Medley: Live On The Ed Sullivan Show
One viewer said that watching him is like seeing a master at work who simply does not care about the rules. Another fan noted that his energy makes today’s music look like it is standing still. People remember exactly where they were when they first heard that pounding boogie-woogie beat.
That fire never went out but it started with a moment so chaotic it almost ended his career before it began. Before the polished lights of the later years there was a young man who wanted to prove he was the king of the world.
JERRY LEE LEWIS on THE STEVE ALLEN SHOW 1957 Great Balls Of Fire
In this earlier scene, the tempo is raw and the piano bench literally goes flying across the floor. He stands up and hammers the keys with his feet and his soul while the audience gasps at the sheer speed. It is a moment of strength that helped the song reach number two on the American charts almost overnight.
Jerry Lee Lewis lived his life just like he played his music loud and fast. He bridged the gap between country roots and rock and roll rebellion with a style that will never be copied. Do not miss out on his legacy. Follow Jerry Lee Lewis on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube to keep the fire burning.