Rock and roll innovator Jerry Lee Lewis is dead at the age of 87.
Lewis’ passing was announced earlier today (October 28) by his publicist. According to an accompanying obituary written by Rick Bragg, Lewis “suffered through the last years of his life from various illnesses and injuries that, his physicians have often said, should have taken him decades ago.”
Lewis helped popularize rockabilly and rock and roll with a run of hits in 1957 and ’58 including, “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” “Breathless,” “High School Confidential,” and “Great Balls of Fire.” In 1986 he became one of the first inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Following the ceremony, he is credited with starting an impromptu jam sessions, which has become a Hall tradition.
