Jerry Lee Lewis: See Photos Of The Late Rock ‘N Roll Pioneer

By:
March 5, 2017 10:23AM EST

Jerry Lee Lewis is dead. The musician behind ‘Great Balls Of Fire’ and more early rock ‘n roll hits has passed away, so take a look at the pioneering musician’s life.

1 of 14

Jerry Lee Lewis

Jerry Lee Lewis
Dezo Hoffman/Shutterstock

Jerry Lee Lewis (born September 29, 1935 – October 28, 2022) was described as ‘rock n’ roll’s first great wild man and one of the most influential pianists of the 20th century.’ The pioneer of rockabilly and rock n’ roll, his hit ‘Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On’ helped shoot him to worldwide fame and help establish rock n’ roll as a genre within the mainstream world. ‘Great Balls of Fire,’ ‘Breathless,’ and more hits continued until scandal broke when he married his 13-year-old cousin, Myra Gale Brown. He pivoted more towards country, where he reignited his career, often topping the country-western charts in the late 1960s and 1970s. He won four Grammys during his career and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, and Country Music Hall of Fame.

 

His personal life was marred with controversy. He married his first wife, Dorothy Barton, when he was 16. The union lasted 20 months. He was with his second wife, Jane Mitchum, for four years. He married teenage Myra Gale Brown when he was 22. They tied the knot in ‘57, and she filed for divorce in 1970. His fourth marriage to Jaren Elizabeth Pate ended in June 1982 when she drowned in a pool several weeks before the divorce proceedings could be finalized. Jerry would marry three more times before his death: Shawn Stephens, Kerrie McCarver, and Judith Brown, the ex-wife of Myra Gale Brown’s brother. Judith was by Jerry’s side when he passed.

October 28, 2022, 1:20PM
2 of 14

Singer Jerry Lee Lewis Pictured With His 15-year-old Bride Myra Gale Brown.

Singer Jerry Lee Lewis Pictured With His 15-year-old Bride Myra Gale Brown.
George Little/Daily Mail/Shutter

Singer Jerry Lee Lewis Pictured With His 15-year-old Bride Myra Gale Brown.
Singer Jerry Lee Lewis Pictured With His 15-year-old Bride Myra Gale Brown.

October 28, 2022, 2:00PM
3 of 14

Jerry Lee Lewis In 1964

Jerry Lee Lewis In 1964
ITV/Shutterstock

Jerry Lee Lewis performs ‘Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On’ ‘Don’t Knock the Rock’ TV Program in March 1964. Jerry was a rockabilly pioneer, mixing western elements with rock to bring a wild, outlaw vibe to music. 

October 28, 2022, 1:15PM
4 of 14

Jerry Lee Lewis In 1964

Jerry Lee Lewis In 1964
David Magnus/Shutterstock

Jerry Lee Lewis in 1964. At this time, he was gearing more toward the country side of things. His career took a major hit after he married his 13-year-old cousin, a union that would last until 1970. 

October 28, 2022, 1:14PM
5 of 14

Jerry Lee Lewis Performs

Jerry Lee Lewis Performs
Dezo Hoffman/Shutterstock

Jerry Lee Lewis was known for his wild performances at the piano, though this photo would indicate he wasn’t that wild at all. He was once christened the ‘first great wild man’ of rock n’ roll. Not bad for this gent in a tie. 

October 28, 2022, 1:14PM
6 of 14

Jerry Lee Lewis In 1968

Jerry Lee Lewis In 1968
ITV/Shutterstock

Jerry Lee Lewis appears on ‘Saturday Stars – Innocence, Anarchy and Soul’in 1968. Though Jerry’s fame in the mainstream was low at this time, his popularity in the country-western world continued. 

October 28, 2022, 1:14PM
7 of 14

Jerry Lee Lewis In 1973

Jerry Lee Lewis In 1973
Everett Collection / Everett Col

Jerry Lee Lewis performs on THE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL in 1973. He would continue to perform and tour until his body wouldn’t allow him. 

October 28, 2022, 1:15PM
8 of 14

Jerry Lee Lewis In 1978

Jerry Lee Lewis In 1978
Paramount/Kobal/Shutterstock

Jerry Lee Lewis in 1978. Roughly even years after this photo, Dennis Quaid would portray Jerry Lee Lewis in the Jim McBride-directed biopic, ‘Great Balls of Fire!’

October 28, 2022, 1:14PM
9 of 14

Jerry Lee Lewis In 2008

Jerry Lee Lewis In 2008
Rune Hellestad/UPI/Shutterstock

Jerry Lee Lewis attends a press conference to launch his European Tour at Royal Garden Hotel in London on October 24, 2008. He continued to perform and record up until the 2020s. 

October 28, 2022, 1:19PM
10 of 14

Jerry Lee Lewis In 2014

Jerry Lee Lewis In 2014
Kristin Callahan/Ace/Shutterstoc

Jerry Lee Lewis attends a 2014 taping of  ‘Late Show with David Letterman.’ Five years from this photo, he would suffer a stroke that would slow down his performance and recording schedule. 

October 28, 2022, 1:19PM
11 of 14

Jerry Lee Lewis In 2015

Jerry Lee Lewis In 2015
John Davisson/Invision/AP/REX/Sh

Jerry Lee Lewis performs at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival, in New Orleans, Louisiana
2015 Jazz & Heritage Festival. 

March 21, 2019, 1:01PM
12 of 14

Jerry Lee Lewis In 2017

Jerry Lee Lewis In 2017
Rmv/REX/Shutterstock

Jerry Lee Lewis was never one to turn down a gig. Here, he performs at the 2017 Stagecoach Music Festival in Indio, California. 

March 21, 2019, 1:01PM
13 of 14

Jerry Lee Lewis At Viva In 2011

Jerry Lee Lewis At Viva In 2011
Shutterstock

Jerry Lee Lewis was a living legend to those in the modern rockabilly scene. Here, he plays to his people at the 14th Annual Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend in Las Vegas. 

October 28, 2022, 1:18PM
14 of 14

Jerry Lee Lewis In 2022

Jerry Lee Lewis In 2022
Mark Humphrey/AP/Shutterstock

Jerry Lee Lewis speaks at the Country Music Hall of Fame after it was announced he will be inducted as a member, in Nashville, Tenn. This photo was taken three years after his stroke. Despite the medical affliction, Jerry continued on, performing and appearing until his death in October 2022. 

October 28, 2022, 1:18PM