Rock ‘n’ Roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis dead at 87

Rock ‘n’ roll’s first bad boy, Jerry Lee Lewis, has died at age 87, according to a statement by his publicist.

Known for hits such as “Great Balls Of Fire” and “Whole Lot Of Shakin’ Going On”, the rock star was born in Ferriday, Louisiana, a very religious and tight-knit community. Jerry Lee even considered becoming a preacher as a young man, and one of the most famous tales of his early career is the anedoctal Great Balls Of Fire session, when Jerry Lee thought that the song was the devil’s work.

But most will remember why Jerry Lee became rock ‘n’ roll’s enfant terrible: he got married to his cousin Myra Gail, who was only 13 years old at the time, a story portrayed in the movie “Great Balls of Fire!” (1989), starring Dennis Quaid and Winona Ryder.

More trouble followed, including drug abuse, accidentally shooting his bass player and swearing at the Grand Ol’ Opry in Nashville.

However, the truth is he leaves behind a whole lot of songs that have rocked many generations, and his legend will probably survive him.