Lewis, Jerry Lee

Lewis, Jerry Lee, 1935–2022, American singer and composer, b. Ferriday, La. Combining country music elements with an energetic performance style, he was an early star of rock music. His songs include “Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On” and “Great Balls of Fire.” Hailed as an innovator and a rowdy old master of rock, he continued to perform and record up until his death in Oct., 2022.

See biographies by N. Tosches (1982, repr. 1998) and R. Bragg (2014).

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2024, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

See more Encyclopedia articles on: Music: Popular and Jazz: Biographies