Jerry Lee Lewis, the rock’ n roll pioneer and one of the most legendary figures in country music, died on Friday (October 28) at his home in DeSoto County, Mississippi. He was 87.
He died with his seventh wife, Judith, by his side – who said that Lewis had “welcomed the hereafter and that he was not afraid” to face his final days.
He Died of Natural Causes
Jerry Lee Lewis’ death was announced by his publicist, Zach Farnum, who also revealed the cause of death to be of natural causes. During the last years of his life, Lewis had actually suffered different health issues and injuries – which his doctor often noted – should have taken him decades ago.
The 1980s were such challenging times for him. Lewis underwent an operation where part of his stomach was taken off due to ulcers. In the middle of the decade, he was hospitalized for drug detoxification and later entered a treatment program for painkillers addiction. The Louisiana native was actually no stranger to the party-hard way of living and had abused his body so thoroughly as a young man.
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While he cleaned up his act, his health issues went on.
In 2019, Lewis suffered a stroke. Although it was reported to be a minor one, Lewis described it as a “very emotional experience.” The stroke had actually limited his ability to move and play the piano.
On October 16, 2022, Lews was finally inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Sadly, he was too ill with the flu to attend the ceremony. Kris Kristofferson, who has been Lewis’ long-time friend, accepted in his honor. Kristofferson then drove down to Memphis and presented it to Lewis in person.
For You
He Will Live On Through His Music
Of all the rock rebels to emerge in the 1950s, Jerry Lee Lewis stood out as the master showman. His energetic performances on songs like “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” and “Great Balls of Fire” helped mount rock ‘n roll as the leading American pop music of the 1950s – making him one of the leading figures of the rock era.
In 1986, Lewis was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
While his rockabilly music didn’t sell fairly during the Beatles era, he made a fanciful comeback as a country singer – scoring over sixty songs on the U.S. country chart and recording several country albums.
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Indeed, it’s a sad day for the entire music industry. Jerry Lee Lewis was survived by his wife, Judith, his four living children, and his many grandchildren.
While there was still no information about the funeral services, the Lewis family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in the music legend’s honor to the Arthritis Foundation or the MusiCares Foundation, a non-profit organization by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
Our thoughts and prayers go to the many people who love Jerry Lee Lewis.
