Jerry Lee Lewis passed away on October 28, 2022, at 87. Seventy-three years intertwined with music made him one of the founders of rock n roll. Following his death, Queen’s Brian May shared an Instagram post, which included archive videos of the two performing together. Writing a letter overflowing with emotions, May paid his respect for Lewis and emphasized how Lewis’ rebellious style and mannerisms gave rock music its character.
“Gutted to hear this Rock and Roll hero has left us,” wrote the guitarist, paying his tributes to the rock legend Jerry Jay Lewis. “A founding father of Rock music, he epitomized the gritty side of this emerging genre, a scary and anarchic figure to the older generation – our Mums and Dads. To the kids, his dangerous aura and blunt energy was a tonic – an inspiration.”
He continued remembering the time he had the chance to play with him, “I got to play with him just once, at Hammersmith Odeon as it was then, in 1989. Thanks to ‘I Swear Shes Vintage’ for these clips. Here you can see us all nervously watching Jerry’s every move – eager to give our best, yet concerned not to piss him off! Everybody got strict instructions before the show – Nobody trespasses in front of the piano! I think in my enthusiasm, I did. Swipe! He gave me a kind of wry conspiratorial smile. Like ‘Hell! Go for it, buddy!’ What a thrill. A moment I’ll treasure forever. RIP Jerry Lee Lewis. Rock on. Bri.”
Jerry Lee Lewis’s ‘Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On’ and ‘Great Balls of Fire’ set the tone for rock n roll music, while his stage performances blow a kind of rebellious spirit to rock. Therefore, it is unsurprising that the 73 years he devoted to music made him one of the founders of rock. Musically, he was known for his outrageous energy and skills, and a pretty wild life accompanied this musical identity in line with this RocknRolla spirit.
‘The Killer’ passed away when he was at his home in Mississippi and his wife, Judith, was with him. The exact cause of death is unknown; there are rumors saying that the musician had been fighting many different diseases for a long time. His death devastated the entire music world, no doubt starting with his relatives. Ringo Starr, Ronnie Wood, and Sir Elton John were other rockers who paid Lewis their tribute.
