Jerry Lee Lewis has died at the age of 87.
The rock and roll pioneer died of natural causes at his home in DeSoto County, Mississippi.
Iconic Star rep Zach Farnham said:
“He told her on his last day that he welcomed the afterlife and was not afraid of it.”
The controversial star rose to fame in the ’50s, and his popularity helped establish rock and roll as the dominant music genre in the United States during the decade.
Lewis released his debut album in 1958, featuring the hit single “High School Confidential”. In the 50’s he also released hits like ‘Great Balls of Fire’ and ‘Whole Lotta Shakin ‘Goin’ On’.
However, his career was soon marred by the news that he had married his 13-year-old cousin, Myra Brown.
The scandal came at the height of his fame and it caused the cancellation of his UK tour. The chart-topping star was blacklisted by US radio stations and concert promoters.
Lewis then became notorious for his drinking, drug use, and womanizing.
He said in 2010, “I did some crazy things. I messed up along the way and got what came my way.”
Nonetheless, he revived his music career by switching from rock and roll to the country music scene and found success on a string of charts.
Lewis, who was erroneously reported dead by several news outlets on Wednesday (10.26.22), was actually one of the first 10 performers inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
The “Breathless” hitmaker has also won four Grammy Awards in his career and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame earlier this year.
