Jerry Lee caused plenty of ruckus in his 60+ year career. Sometimes he drew admiration, sometimes consternation, but there was always excitement—and a lot ink spilled about him. In one memorable moment, John Lennon got down on his knees and kissed Jerry’s boots at the Roxy in Los Angeles and said, “You are my inspiration―why I am in rock ‘n’ roll.” This was just one of many touching moments between Jerry Lee and his fellow musicians, both during the golden age of rock and successive generations.
Below, you’ll find some of the most unforgettable words uttered―and written―about Jerry Lee Lewis.
“He crashed a dozen Cadillacs in one year and played the Apollo. With racial hatred burning in the headlines, the audience danced in the seats to a white boy from the bottomland, backed by pickers who talked like Ernest Tubb. ‘James Brown kissed me on my cheek,’ he says. ‘Top that.’”
―Rick Bragg, Jerry Lee Lewis: His Own Story
“‘Didn’t I hear once that you…’ But he cuts me off. ‘Yeah,’ he says, ‘I probably did.’”
―Rick Bragg
“I have loved Jerry since I was a teenage girl. I even recorded Great Balls of Fire.”
―Dolly Parton
“I wish I could play piano like him.”
―Elvis Presley
“One of the greatest piano players and my friend always.”
―Little Richard
“He can’t be bettered.”
―Fats Domino
“I am an official paid up member of your fan club.”
―Tom Jones
“The greatest entertainer I’ve ever seen. He defies description.”
―Johnny Cash
“Ever since that 1957 tour we did together when he first kicked the stool away―Johnny and I always knew there was no trying to top Jerry Lee.”
―Carl Perkins
“Jerry Lee is something else. There is no keeping up with him either on stage or off―he sure does like to party.”
―Charlie Rich
Want to see what Jerry Lee had to say in return? Check out famous Jerry Lee Lewis quotes from the man himself.