Jerry Lee Lewis has led a memorable career—often a wild one. Sometimes the best way to understand it is to hear it in his own words. Below we’ve gathered together some of our favorite quotes from Jerry Lee over the past 60 years. Have a look and see how the Killer remembers everything, from the words of his mother to his famous kicked-over piano stool.
“When they look back on me I want ’em to remember me not for all my wives, although I’ve had a few, and certainly not for any mansions or high livin’ money I made and spent. I want ’em to remember me simply for my music.”
“My momma always said, ‘You and Elvis are pretty good, but y’all ain’t no Chuck Berry.’”
“These fingers of mine got brains in ‘em.”
“Carl Perkins and John Cash was telling me, ‘Man, everybody loves you, but you ought to do something a little different up there.’ I said, ‘Like what?’ ‘Just run around the piano or do something. You’d be surprised the reaction you’d get.’ I said, ‘Well, I’d have to think about it.’ Then I just kicked my stool back, knocked it over… I know I started off opening the show. And before the tour was over, I was closing the show. I never did figure that one out.”
“If I’m going to Hell, I’m going there playing the piano.”
“Either be hot or cold. If you are lukewarm, the Lord will spew you forth from His mouth.”
“I am right. I`m always right. One time I thought I was wrong, I found out I was right.”
“I put God first now, always.”
Check out our Jerry Lee Lewis biography, or hear what others have said about the Killer with some famous quotes about Jerry Lee—including Elvis’ thoughts on his fellow rock ‘n’ roll legend.