Irish Examiner view: Farewell, Jerry Lee Lewis

As famous for his wild lifestyle as his music, the man who unleashed 'Great Balls of Fire' on the world was a true original

Jerry Lee Lewis — playing piano one-handed, and with one foot on the keyboard — at Madison Square Garden, New York, in 1975. The wild man of rock'n'roll has died at the age of 87. Picture: Rene Perez/AP

There’s little doubt if the Louisiana-born rock’n’roll and rockabilly pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis had started his career these days, the modern generation would find plenty of reasons to cancel him. Not that the notorious wild man of music would have cared much.

Lewis, who has died aged 87, ensured his fame with songs such as ‘Great Balls of Fire’ and a ‘Whole Lotta Shakin Goin’ On’, and his barnstorming keyboard style heralded a new sound which shook the world.