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Jerry Lee Lewis

Jerry Lee Lewis has died at age 87

Jerry Lee Lewis, in a photo taken during his infamous trip to London in June 1958, when it became public that he was married to his 13-year-old cousin. Evening Standard/Getty Images hide caption

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Evening Standard/Getty Images

Obituaries

Jerry Lee Lewis has died at age 87

The iconic rock 'n' roll pioneer and last living member of the "Million-Dollar Quartet" — whose meteoric rise collapsed almost as quickly as he ascended, thanks to scandal — has died at age 87.

Jerry Lee Lewis has died at age 87

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Jerry Lee Lewis: Live, Singing As If Life Depended On It

Jerry Lee Lewis shot to fame in the 1950s with hits such as "A Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" and "Great Balls of Fire." Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Courtesy of the artist

Review

Music Reviews

Jerry Lee Lewis: Live, Singing As If Life Depended On It

Fresh Air

In 1958, Lewis suffered a precipitous decline in popularity when people learned that his new wife was not only 13, but also his cousin. Nobody would touch his records. Then, in 1963, he signed a deal with Smash and it looked like things were getting better.

Jerry Lee Lewis: Live, Singing As If Life Depended On It

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Guest DJ Tom Jones Shares His Favorite Love Songs
Sandra Johnson/Courtesy of the Artist

Opinion

All Songs Considered

Guest DJ Tom Jones Shares His Favorite Love Songs

Make a list of the great crooners who sing love songs and Tom Jones is likely to be near the top. He was for us when we sought

Guest DJ Tom Jones Shares His Favorite Love Songs

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Jerry Lee Lewis: Rock Legend Keeps Rolling

Jerry Lee Lewis. Olaf Heine hide caption

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Olaf Heine

Music Interviews

Jerry Lee Lewis: Rock Legend Keeps Rolling

With his 75th birthday right around the corner, Jerry Lee Lewis has not strayed from his piano, the instrument that made him a legend. Now, with the help of a wide range of well-respected artists, he's put out a new album, Mean Old Man..

Jerry Lee Lewis: Rock Legend Keeps Rolling

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Jerry Lee Lewis: Rock's 'Last Man Standing'

Jerry Lee Lewis Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images hide caption

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Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

World Cafe

Jerry Lee Lewis: Rock's 'Last Man Standing'

XPN

Any history of rock 'n' roll is sure to acknowledge the influence of piano master Jerry Lee Lewis, who popularized his own brand of rock.

Jerry Lee Lewis: Rock's 'Last Man Standing'

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Review

Song Of The Day

Outliving Regrets, with George Jones in Tow

Few can match Jerry Lee Lewis' reputation, which is where Jones comes in. "Don't Be Ashamed of Your Age" doesn't quite crack the two-minute mark, but in that brief time, two volatile careers intersect, tip their hats to one another and head off again in separate directions, reenergized.

'Don't Be Afraid of Your Age' by Jerry Lee Lewis featuring George Jones

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The Sounds of American Culture

Jerry Lee Lewis: 'Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On'

Recorded in only one take at the Sun Studio in Memphis, Jerry Lee Lewis' original recording of "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" propelled the rock legend to instant fame. In 2005, the Library of Congress selected the song for the National Recording Registry.

Jerry Lee Lewis: 'Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On'

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All Songs Considered

TV On the Radio, Steven Bernstein, Yo La Tengo

New music from TV On the Radio; The beautifully sad return of Sparklehorse; A debut from Brooklyn's Dirty on Purpose; Inspired jazz trumpeter Steven Bernstein and more.

TV On the Radio, Steven Bernstein, Yo La Tengo

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'Great Balls Of Fire'

Jerry Lee Lewis smiles over his shoulder while playing the piano in a dressing room. Getty Images/Getty Images hide caption

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The NPR 100

'Great Balls Of Fire'

There was something about this song that was unsettling; Little Richard was fun, Elvis was cool, but Jerry Lee Lewis was frightening.

'Great Balls Of Fire'

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