Jerry lee lewis autobiography

(1935-)

Who Is Jerry Lee Lewis?

Jerry Lee Lewis began playing the piano at age 9, copying the styles of preachers and Black musicians. He signed with Sun Records and became a rockabilly star. In 1958, Lewis married his 13-year-old cousin causing a record boycott but Lewis continued performing and made a comeback. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.

Early Life

With his innovative and flamboyant piano playing and catchy uptempo songs, Jerry Lee Lewis emerged as one of rock music's early showmen in the 1950s. Lewis was born on September 29, 1935, in Ferriday, Louisiana, a small community where his musical talents became apparent early on. He taught himself to play piano and sang in church growing up. On the radio, Lewis listened to such shows as Grand Ole Opry and The Louisiana Hayride. Jimmie Rodgers, Hank Williams and Al Jolson were some of his early influences.

When he was 10 years old, Lewis got a piano of his very own. His fa