Linda Gail Lewis shared this undated photo with her brother, Jerry Lee Lewis
Rock ‘n’ roll pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis, who died October 28, 2022, at age 87, is being mourned by many of music’s biggest stars. “Goodbye to the Killer,” wrote Keith Richards, referring to the musician by his nickname. ellow piano playing legend Elton John called Lewis a “trailblazer.” Eric Burdon serenaded him.
We’ve handpicked tributes from some fellow legends here.
His sister, Linda Gail Lewis, wrote, “I can’t believe my big brother is gone, my world will never be the same again. From the first moment I opened my eyes he’s been my protector and inspiration. As a child I grew up watching him play piano in our house and developing his distinctive piano and vocal style that would change the world only a few years later. Jerry is the one that first took me into the studio, made me sing my first notes and record my first record at 15 as a duet with him. I owe him my entire career and my life to him! Every unforgettable experience, every song we sang together, every stage we shared on the road for over two decades will never be forgotten by me, and hopefully not anyone that was there.”
“Goodbye to the Killer” RIP
Keith
From the 1983 Salute to Jerry Lee Lewis @jerryleelewis pic.twitter.com/SRAkPPH8qR— Keith Richards (@officialKeef) October 28, 2022
Without Jerry Lee Lewis, I wouldn’t have become who I am today. He was groundbreaking and exciting, and he pulverized the piano. A brilliant singer too. Thank you for your trailblazing inspiration and all the rock ‘n’ roll memories. #RIP pic.twitter.com/HytKkIV5Qo
— Elton John (@eltonofficial) October 28, 2022
Bob Dylan dedicated a performance of Lewis’ 1970 country hit, “I Can’t Seem to Say Goodbye,” to Lewis’ memory, at his concert on Oct. 28 in Nottingham, U.K. “Jerry Lee will live forever. We all know that.”
Sad to hear of the passing of Jerry Lee Lewis. Love his music and I was hugely influenced by his records and live performances which were always full of fire and inspiration! No one could touch him!
God Bless you, Jerry Lee ❤️👼🏼 pic.twitter.com/yp9DQr7z7D— John Fogerty (@John_Fogerty) October 28, 2022
“You know, I never though I’d get to this point, Mr. Lewis, but the time has come to say, ‘Fare Thee Well’,” said Eric Burdon, as he serenaded his friend.
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Jerry Lee Lewis has passed … REST EASY KILLER you were one of a kind… #RIPJerryLee pic.twitter.com/n5ZDI1VhIh
— The Oak Ridge Boys (@oakridgeboys) October 28, 2022
R.I.P. JLL the KILLER-What a man🙏⚡️☀️ XX🎶🎶🎶☀️❤️@jerryleelewis #jerryleelewis pic.twitter.com/GrF9f5RC0E
— Ronnie Wood (@ronniewood) October 28, 2022
The killer Jerry Lee Lewis passed on today. What an honor it was to be his friend
His passing closes out an explosive era of American music.
Last man standing baby!!! -T📸: Rick Diamond/Getty Images pic.twitter.com/EdvR7cGZxW
— Toby Keith (@tobykeith) October 28, 2022
Johnny Cash’s social media accounts shared a photo of the famed Million Dollar Quartet.
Rest in peace Jerry Lee Lewis🖤 pic.twitter.com/K7T02UF7Pc
— Johnny Cash (@JohnnyCash) October 28, 2022
Wanda Jackson wrote, “For a good while now, Jerry Lee Lewis and I were the only ones living of the original rock ’n’ rollers of the 50s. Now, it only leaves me. Jerry was one of our great entertainers and I loved hearing his rock ’n’ roll songs, but oh my, what he did to a country ballad was incredible! The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum finally inducted him!
“I’ll never forget Jerry Lee going to church with me while we were touring Canada, and he and I sharing a hymn book. I’ll miss you, old friend. Every day.”
RIP Jerry Lee Lewis. The Killer has gone. He could play that piano, boy. Think I gotta play me some Lewis Boogie.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) October 28, 2022
Pat Boone, 88, wrote, “Jerry Lee Lewis and I were two Southern kids who hit it big at the same time and followed each other’s careers closely. In fact, when Dick Clark went national with his “American Bandstand,” he picked Jerry Lee and me as his first guests. Though we went decidedly different directions in our personal lives, we remained equally admiring of our separate achievements in music. For years, many of us other artists tried in vain to capture his on-stage excitement, but there was only one “Tiger”–and musically he will never be forgotten. I will always miss him as a friend.”
He was Country and Rock-and-roll!!! Jerry Lee Lewis, a pioneer at the birth of rock, was an iconic legend. It was an honor to know you! RIP, my friend. pic.twitter.com/5q9ohVwkbN
— Marie Osmond (@marieosmond) October 28, 2022
RIP Jerry Lee Lewis pic.twitter.com/vky0M7brHr
— Brian Setzer (@briansetzer59) October 29, 2022
Stevie Van Zandt wrote, “The last and wildest of the pioneers is gone. Jerry Lee did all one could possibly do with a piano. His religion tortured his soul with guilt but he did what he had to do in spite of knowing he was going to Hell for RnR. Now that’s commitment!”
2 Comments so far
Jump into a conversationSo Pat Boone says “Though we went decidedly different directions in our personal lives, we remained equally admiring of our separate achievements in music.” What the hell did Pat Boone ever achieve in music, other than selling millions of records by ripping off Black artists and their songs left and right?
Actually, you could say the same thing about Jerry Lee Lewis’s biggest hits in the ’50’s–they were written by or they were first made famous African-Americans.