A Rock ‘n’ Roll Residence
Jerry Lee Lewis bought The Lewis Ranch in the early 1970s. Located just 20 miles outside of Memphis, in sleepy Nesbit, Mississippi, The Lewis Ranch was the young rock star’s home, his retreat, and his rock ‘n’ roll entertaining grounds all rolled into one. He continues to stay there part-time today.
The Lewis Ranch is unlike other rock museums, because it’s an active residence where Jerry Lee Lewis still comes to visit, relax, and compose music. He lived here full-time for many years and he and his family continue to think of it as their second home.
History of The Lewis Ranch
After Lewis bought his ranch, he turned it into a haven for his fellow musicians, who often came to visit when they needed time off from recording and performing. Overlooking a scenic lake, rock legends could often be seen boating and water-skiing with the Killer, or simply skipping stones and talking about their next project.
The Lewis Ranch itself, although large, reflects Jerry Lee’s simple upbringing: it looks like a normal house from the outside, a simple ranch home marked out only by its piano-shaped iron gate. Once inside, guests find themselves back in the glamor of the rock lifestyle—complete with a piano-shaped swimming pool and Jerry Lee’s famous car collection.
The Lewis Ranch Today
Jerry Lee Lewis now splits his time between The Lewis Ranch and his Memphis residence where he can be closer to the music scene and his own cafe and honk tonk. Tours of The Lewis Ranch are often led by his son, Jerry Lee Lewis III, who gives visitors an intimate look at the Killer’s life. The wood-panelled living room holds pictures of Jerry Lee with the Million Dollar Quartet, Fats Domino, Ray Charles and others, along with posters from his legendary gigs. Tours include a walk-through of Jerry Lee’s bedroom, a look at his gold records and other memorabilia, and time to sit on the porch above the lake where the Killer composes his songs.