Talk:Jerry Lee Lewis/Archive 1

Live at the Star Club, Hamburg
It was not recorded at the Star Club in Hamburg but in the Deutschlandhalle in (then)West-Berlin which is a much much bigger venue and produced a much louder audience than a crowd of a few hundreds in a little club could ever make. Sorry that I cannot give you any "proof" in english language but it is a relatively known fact among real rock&Rroll fans in Germany since the producer admitted it in an interview a few years ago. I guess they used the STAR CLUB promo idea beacuse of the popularity of the Beatles and the fact that JL Lewis really played there on his 1964 tour. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 84.189.10.251 (talk) 09:36, 16 February 2018 (UTC)

Discography
the discography does not list his albums before his 1958 album. anyone know them? --Sp0 18:33, 30 November 2007 (UTC)


 * were there any? rock & roll wasn't an albums musical style prior to the beatles. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 69.125.110.223 (talk) 21:42, 4 December 2007 (UTC)


 * I'm sorry, but what planet are you from? No rock & roll before The Beatles??? The Beatles hit the scene in a major way in 1963. Look around. Read Wikipedia articles. Start with Elvis Presley. Go back to the early 1950s, a solid decade before The Beatles. There would not even have been The Beatles if rock and roll was not already firmly in place. Ward3001 (talk) 16:23, 30 September 2008 (UTC)


 * You might want to go back and read what you were responding to. The previous poster didn't say that there was no rock & roll before The Beatles. He said that "rock & roll wasn't an albums musical style before The Beatles." In other words, rock was put out mostly on singles, which makes sense, as it was pretty much pop music. You bought the song or two that you wanted. TimBRoy (talk) 21:55, 4 March 2009 (UTC)


 * smile: ahhh, the anachronisms! buying "the song or two you want" is a phenomenon connected with downloading. in the '50s and early '60s, one bought singles: a track the record company thought would make a splash, backed with ... well, b-sides varied, didn't they.
 * but since the exchange above is from 2007, it's anachronistic to respond to it at all, so ... i'm outta here 8) Sssoul (talk) 05:31, 25 June 2009 (UTC)

Re: "[In 1958] rock was put out mostly on singles, which makes sense, as it was pretty much pop music.":

Rock still is pretty much pop music, of course. The 12-inch vinyl LP was introduced more or less at the onset of the 1950's and didn't really catch on (for any kind of music) until toward the end of the 1950's. An album is a collection of shorter recordings (analogous to, for example, the photo album). Before the LP, collections of shorter recordings marketed as "albums" were sets of separate (shellac) 78's, that is, an album comprised several discrete discs. TheScotch (talk) 07:11, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

It says on originals, "Lincoln Limousine, 1966 (controversial for its unsympathetic account of the Kennedy assassination)". I don't have a source but the song was actually written by either a family member or friend and credited to JLL. More to the point it totally sympathetic to JFK. Sample lyrics: "They shot him in the back seat of a Lincoln Limousine He was a great, great leader by the name of Kennedy He fought for right and freedom, just to keep this nation clean But they shot him in the backseat of a Lincoln Limousine." There's more, course, "He had a lovely wife and two children seldom scene....Lord, it would have been better if he had stayed at home," etc. How someone would think this was unsympathetic is beyond me. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 206.53.252.80 (talk) 19:16, 26 May 2011 (UTC)

Possible first ever record, as broadcast on the tv series 'Cajun Pawn Stars', where a man, introducing himself as Cecil Haroldson, a boyhood friend of Jerry Lee Louis, brings in a standard 78rpm record from 'J&M Recording Studios, 839 N.Rampart St., New Orleans 16 LA.'(1945~1954) Cecil says he was with Jerry Lee when they were passing the J&M studios when Jerry Lee said that he would "like to hear his voice on a record." So Cecil said he paid $2.25 to have the record cut. (Cecil also says that he married Jerry Lee's sister, divorced her, then re-married her years later.) The record was authenticated on air by 'Mike, Executive Director, Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. Clifton.W.Donnelly (talk) 15:03, 25 March 2018 (UTC)

'Cajun Pawn Stars' Copyright 2011 A&E Television Networks, LLC. Clifton.W.Donnelly (talk) 15:07, 25 March 2018 (UTC)

American hit single between 1958 and 1968
Lewis' version of "What'd I Say" was a medium sized US hit in 1962. This was his only American hit single between 1958 and 1968. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 209.179.56.109 (talk) 09:48, 21 February 2004 (UTC)

Bible School
I updated the portion which read "fundamentalist bible school" to the actual school which he attended. ~ thespunk — Preceding unsigned comment added by Thespunk (talk • contribs) 17:06, 25 September 2004 (UTC)

Being kicked out of school
I added a part to the paragraph where it talks about Jerry being expelled from school. This story has been related to me several times by my pastor, Pearry Green. Thought it was an interesting part to 'the rest of the story'. The part follows.


 * Pearry Green (then president of the student body) related how during a talent show Jerry played some "worldly" music. The next morning the dean of the school called both Jerry and Pearry into his office to expell them both. Jerry then said that Pearry sholdn't be expelled because "he didn't know what I was going to do." Years later Pearry asked Jerry "Are you still playing the devils music?" Jerry replied "Yes, I am. But you know it's strange, the same music that they kicked me out of school for is the same kind of music they play in their churches today. The difference is, I know I am playing for the devil and they don't."

Strawberry Island 21:50, 15 January 2006 (UTC)

Although he toured and played many sold-out concerts, he never regained the heights of success he had prior to the 1958 scandal
This sentance is gives a misimpression. He had about 20 top ten hits after he started concentrating on the Country market. This portion of the article needs some major revision.

Adam Holland 23:49, 17 March 2006 (UTC)Adam I love the killer too, but if you take the actual up to 1958 was the best time the killer had and he achieved only moderate success after that time. If he had continued at his Top 10 level of hit making, history would need to be rewritten and that is not taking away his great Country contributions.. My back up sources are Billboard US and BillBoard UK Go Jerry Lee - Gerry Thomas (Aust) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 138.217.51.90 (talk) 03:23, 22 March 2006 (UTC)

Better photographs
Anyone thought about getting some better photographs for this page? TuckerResearch 21:16, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

New stuff, table, country stardom
Hi all, I changed the rather long list of hits into a table, adding some info and music. If anyone has access to a copy of Whitburn's book, see if more can be added. I seem to recall a song called "Lost Love Letters," or "I'll Sail My Ship Alone" being a top 100 hit in the late 50s or early 1960s. Also, could someone check on the UK Pop numbers? I also agree that the country section needs to be added to. If I have a chance, I'll try and do it eventually, as Jerry Lee Lewis had quite a prolific and interesting country music career. (For instance, his 70s appearance on the Grand Ole Opry - he was asked never to return.) TuckerResearch 19:33, 29 May 2006 (UTC)

Does someone want to CLEAN UP THIS ARTICLE? It is a bit sloppy in places. Some later career stuff should be put in his heyday and stuff like that. Also, anybody find SOME BETTER PICTURES? TuckerResearch 19:04, 25 September 2006 (UTC)

First marriage?
"He married Jane Mitcham, his second wife, 23 days before his divorce from his first wife was final." This is the first mentioning of being married to anyone yet it's his second wife. Did he not have a first marraige when he was 16 years old? Perhaps we should include something about that. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by JustinInSpace (talk • contribs) 14:28, 16 May 2007 (UTC).

Citations & references
See Footnotes for an explanation of how to generate footnotes using the  tags Nhl4hamilton (talk) 04:41, 1 February 2008 (UTC)

Still alive?
it's good that the guy is still alive,but it's really weird actually.he was always alcoholic and lifeburner.drugs too.but long live jerry lee lewis.you are 70.i think that you live 100 years.

Duet with Elvis impersonator
I have a few songs recorded by Jerry Lee with an Elvis impersonator, Who is this impersonator? and what album where they released on?


 * You may be thinking of the album "Duets" with Charlie Rich. --Roisterer 08:18, 3 April 2007 (UTC)

I believe that Elvis impersonator is called "Orion." -- Luke —Preceding unsigned comment added by Missclawdy (talk • contribs) 07:41, 26 April 2008 (UTC)

who would have guessed? i have great respect for people still keeping true to what they once set out and still living "which is rare in rock and roll" Markthemac 03:29, 2 August 2007 (UTC)

Current address
I updated Jerry's current address from "Booneville, Mississippi" to "Nesbit, Mississippi." I live near his ranch, and I've been there several times. I've got the pictures to prove it! But just in case you don't believe me, go to http://members.tripod.com/~Jerry9/Nesbit.htm Carrielowery 04:09, 11 December 2005 (UTC)carrielowery

Umm He lives near booneville. He has a ranch in nesbit but lives in a house in the country outside of booneville.

For what it's worth, I live in Booneville, MS and he does not live there. His ex-wife Kerry Lewis, their son Lee and her daughter Star live there. He owns the house but I don't think he's ever lived there. It's actually inside the city limits. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 207.68.253.210 (talk) 18:56, 9 July 2008 (UTC)

As I recall, Jerry Lee was not nicknamed "Killer" for his "forceful voice and piano production on stage." He was nicknamed "Killer" because his wives had a disturbing habit of turning up dead.


 * Lewis has had the nickname "Killer" since the 50s, long prior to the trend the previous poster refers to. --Roisterer 09:45, 19 January 2006 (UTC)

VANDALISM

Stop posting that his nickname was "the pedo". Logged Jan. 27, 2006.

From what I've read, a young Jerry Lee called everyone "Killer" in jest - in fact you can hear him call say "pick it killer" in some live recordings to his guitarist in the 70s - and the name was turned back on him. TuckerResearch 21:19, 24 July 2006 (UTC)

As I understand it, he was nicknamed "the killer" because he "killed" any artist coming on stage after him. So over-the-top was he that whoever had to follow him was dead. This was the result of his "forceful voice and piano production on stage" an explanation which by itself does nothing to explain the nickname. It's common for musicians to talk about performances in terms such as "I'm gonna kill"

[Jerry Lee told reminisced about story of how the nickname came about whilst in an interview. Simply it started out with Jerry and child hood friend used to call each other killer and it spread from there onwards. As for him being named after his wives mysterious deaths,that is false it was simply fitting at the time, he had already been refered to as the killer before their deaths.Killer is also a nickname he gives to other people, rumoured that at times Jerry couldn't remember someone's name he would refer to them as 'Killer' -- Bec] — Preceding unsigned comment added by 202.154.76.204 (talk) 05:11, 29 November 2006 (UTC)

Career at Sun
I've done a rewrite & expand on the parts about Jerry Lee's time at Sun. I still don't think it says quite enough about his achievements at this time. Anyway, previously the article said that Jack Clement "discovered" Lewis - not really true as Lewis came to Memphis specifically to try out at Sun. It also said he "became a session musician" - also misleading as he was doing some session work while also recording as himself, as several other Sun musicians did (Billy Riley, Bill Justis, Charlie Rich, etc.). I've added a couple of examples of his session work, as I think it's interesting to hear Jerry Lee's piano on these tracks by other Sun artists. I've also added some content about Jerry Lee's religious anxiety about the sinful nature of his songs, and one or two other things. Weasel Fetlocks (talk) 13:46, 21 July 2008 (UTC)


 * Thanks for your additions. That section has (and continues to have) problems, specifically lack of citations in places. There are direct quotes that do not have citations. Perhaps the quotes came from sources that are already cited, but it's very unclear as the section is written. I hope someone will clean it up. Ward3001 (talk) 14:56, 21 July 2008 (UTC)

Why is this in personal tragedies?
" ... He also has a daughter, Phoebe Lewis, who is a singer and musician, and for the past few years has been her father's manager. ... " —Preceding unsigned comment added by Cowicide (talk • contribs) 08:01, 18 November 2008 (UTC)

Source needs checking
an anonymous editor left this in the "scandal" section:
 * According to Thomas E. Larson, who authored "History of Rock & Roll", "[T]here is suspicion that [Jerry Lee Lewis] killed his fifth wife, who was mysteriously murdered in their New Orleans home."

i'm moving it here so that someone who has access to the source cited can check what else it says - if it's substantiated sufficiently for WP:BLP purposes, more needs to be stated than just a single weasel-wordy sentence (and it doesn't belong in the "scandal" section, which is about something else entirely). if it isn't substantiated, it needs to be removed from the talk page as well. Sssoul (talk) 17:20, 25 September 2009 (UTC)

Health
Someone needs to add an extensive list of his health problems. The man is amazing. He has probably come close to death more than any other Rock 'n Roller. I think it would be a plus to add this. (PerhingBoy) 205.204.248.86 (talk) 16:22, 16 November 2010 (UTC)
 * Got any reliable sources? Cresix (talk) 22:29, 16 November 2010 (UTC)

Family
According to the article, Jerry Lee Lewis had two children with Jane Mitchum, two children with Myra Lewis, one child with Jaren Elizabeth Gunn Pate, and one child with Kerrie McCarver--a total of six children. The article then states, however, that he has only had four children, and only four are named. How many children does Jerry Lee Lewis actually have, and who are they? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 98.223.226.7 (talk) 16:49, 30 December 2009 (UTC)

Should it not be mentioned somewhere that he is related to Rev. Jimmy Swaggart? —Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.198.15.16 (talk) 03:42, 7 December 2010 (UTC)
 * Read the article please. Cresix (talk) 21:41, 7 December 2010 (UTC)

Dead or alive?
I only came zipping through to add a photo, and then again to add one of Lewis' sister, who is also a musician and mentioned specifically in the test. I noticed two attempts (apparently from the same editor?) --that placed dates of death in both the article and infobox in particular. Assuming good faith edits, I set about formatting the date of death for Lewis. I'm not even involved in editing more than the photos, but I do wonder if others with a watch list pay attention to those key points for biographies. --Leahtwosaints (talk) 19:43, 24 June 2011 (UTC)

Killer
Is it beyond all human ability to find why he is called "Killer"? If humans can cure TB and polio, as well as put a man on the moon, we can discover the reason for this nickname.Lestrade (talk) 23:00, 1 November 2008 (UTC)Lestrade


 * Although I don't have a source off hand, it's not that far-fetched. He certainly did not kill anyone. More than likely it's because he "killed" (as in "wowed") his audience. It's a nickname. Why is Elvis called The King? Not too complicated. Ward3001 (talk) 23:39, 1 November 2008 (UTC)

Yes, complicated. Nicknames are given for a reason. Elvis was pre–eminent in his class and therefore was similar to a king. Killers and kings are very different, in some cases. Why is Dennis Rodman called "Worm"? Why is William Perry, the football player, called "Refrigerator"? Why was Joe DiMaggio called "Jolting Joe"? There are reasons that can be known and explained. Lestrade (talk) 13:31, 2 November 2008 (UTC)Lestrade


 * Then by all means, go out there and do the research to find it. It shouldn't be too hard, not as hard as putting a man on the moon. Be sure to let us know after you find it. And don't forget to find a reliable source that Lewis never killed anyone; otherwise, we'll never know for sure that it has anything to do with his musical performances. Ward3001 (talk) 15:37, 2 November 2008 (UTC)


 * "Violence and trouble seemed to hang over him like a cloud, like a vaporous aura emitted from within him, a product of the unstable chemistry inside. Sure, it worked for him. He embraced it, like the nickname “Killer,” and he fed the rage with drugs as required: Every audience demanded its dollop. But then, snap, it would rule him…. And Jerry Lee had a liking for firearms. One night, he pumped a slug from a .357 magnum into the chest of his bass player (who lived to sue). On another night, the Killer tried to crash his Lincoln Continental through the gates of Graceland, drunkenly waving a .38 pistol and threatening to blow Elvis away. Death always seemed to lurk nearby. His second son and favorite, Steve Allen Lewis, fell into a swimming pool and drowned at age three. The first son, Jerry Lee Jr., grew to be nineteen, to join the band as apprentice drummer, to check in and out of mental hospitals and drug-addiction wards five times, before he flipped his jeep on a bad Desoto country road, broke his neck and died." http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/01/11/the-strange-and-mysterious-death-of-mrs-jerry-lee-lewis.html


 * Hmm, I wonder where it came from. The most likely answer is, some random person said it one time, and Jerry made it his nickname. The man was clearly a clinical narcissist, likely a psychopath, and I agree with Ward's statement - given the circumstances of Shawn's death, I don't think anyone in their right mind could be "certain" that he never killed anyone. In fact, if even half of the information in that Rolling Stone article is true, I think it's near definitive that; even if he didn't kill Shawn, he was capable of homicide far too many times in his life, to have never ended up killing anyone. CleverTitania (talk) 03:48, 21 March 2014 (UTC)

Wife killer?
An old rolling stone article claimed he killed one if not two of his wives. Any who knows anything about it please share your information and perhaps we can get it included in this article. I don't remember what year and month it was. Also any other stories or sources might help. Pickles macfarland 11:10, 26 May 2007 (UTC)
 * More to the point, four of his six marriages (as of his 2004 divorce, according to ) are unmentioned in the article. I'm no Lewis expert, but that's a striking omission considering the length of the article. Calbaer 05:35, 5 June 2007 (UTC)

I am adding to this statement...I have found out that the Rolling Stone article that carried it was March 1, 1984 with the Police on the cover...Band of the year.---banspi1@yahoo.com —Preceding unsigned comment added by 75.36.5.96 (talk) 15:13, 23 August 2008 (UTC)

Here is the article and it seems pretty convincing and at least should be mentioned http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2012/12/19/bgs-the-strange-and-mysterious-death-of-mrs-jerry-lee-lewis/ — Preceding unsigned comment added by 76.113.101.65 (talk) 02:08, 27 December 2012 (UTC)


 * The link on Bronxbanterblog is no longer valid, but the article has been reprinted on The Daily Beast, so I updated the link to that page. As far as I know, it's a complete reprint, including the forward the author wrote later. It was reprinted in memory of the man who wrote it, a week after he died.


 * I'm an occasional editor at best, so if I was incorrect marking this as a minor edit, I'm sorry for the confusion. Since I wasn't adding or removing a source, just correcting a link to the preexisting source, I assumed it wasn't considered a major edit. CleverTitania (talk) 03:58, 21 March 2014 (UTC)

Wikiquotes
Jerry Lee has had alot of memorable quotes over the years, shoudn't there be a Wikiquotes page for him?184.147.228.103 (talk) 17:40, 30 June 2014 (UTC)

The Killer near death in 1981. Should it be mentioned??? Suggestion
In June 1981, Lewis almost died because of a two inch rupture in his stomach. Required two operations and he spent over two months in ICU at University of Tennessee Center for the Health Sciences in Memphis, TN. Should it be mentioned???

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=Jerry+Lee+Lewis+on+the+tomorrow+show&FORM=HDRSC3#view=detail&mid=E16F3D692F91096D24BBE16F3D692F91096D24BB

User:JCHeverly 13:27, 17 July 2014 (UTC)

Myra brown interview
Heres an interview with Myra Brown. might be worth adding some of her POV. https://medium.com/cuepoint/ballad-of-the-13-year-old-bride-f909cbe1c6b4 Gaijin42 (talk) 21:16, 28 October 2014 (UTC)

Timeline doesn't add up for birth/first marriage
If JLL was 14 (in his own words; reference #29 - http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20070691,00.html) when he got married in 1952, he must have been born in 1938 (not 1935), but then he would have been 19 when he married Myra.

Thus, 1935 seems to be the correct birth year, but then the quote stating he was 14 and his first wife 17 doesn't make any sense. Remove the quote for the sake of clarity?

85.229.135.225 (talk) 12:09, 8 May 2016 (UTC)
 * Thanks for pointing this out. I seriously doubt that he was 14 when he married the first time, and he certainly was in his twenties when he married Myra. It could be a misprint, or one of JLL's exaggerations. I removed the quotation. Sundayclose (talk) 15:32, 8 May 2016 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 22 August 2017
The website address for jerryleelewis is not correct. The official website is at www.jerryleerocks.com. Nothing is on jerryleelewis.com. EricsonGroup (talk) 22:02, 22 August 2017 (UTC)
 * But it's not nothing, is it? It has two live links on it? But I agree [www.jerryleerocks.com your suggestion] looks a tad livelier. And with a genuine logo. Martinevans123 (talk) 22:06, 22 August 2017 (UTC)
 * Yes check.svg Done I've gone ahead and made the change. WP:BEBOLD, am I right? jd22292 (Jalen D. Folf) (talk) 22:53, 22 August 2017 (UTC)
 * Well, unless that's a very clever fake website, I'd say yes. Martinevans123 (talk) 12:44, 23 August 2017 (UTC)

Threatening 'the'?
"The Memphis police found the gun in the car and put Lewis, protesting, hollering, threatening 'the', away in handcuffs." What does this even mean? rowley (talk) 18:39, 6 December 2017 (UTC)

Tone
The tone/POV and language of the biography section (and perhaps others)is not appropriate. It reads more like a pop/celeb bio rather than an encyclopedia article. PurpleChez (talk) 19:06, 13 July 2010 (UTC)

This was my take also. Its tone is very biased. A fan rave. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2602:306:CF99:2080:15B5:30F9:7297:D47F (talk) 16:03, 13 January 2018 (UTC)

Marriage to first cousin once removed
In which state did this marriage take place and was it legal? In some states, first cousins once removed is too consanguineous to marry and 13 is too young to marry in most places. Jim Michael (talk) 09:21, 2 October 2013 (UTC)
 * Mississippi. Fat&#38;Happy (talk) 15:07, 2 October 2013 (UTC)

This is not so. Once-removed cousins are eligible to marry in most jurisdictions. First cousins may marry in some states, like Florida and Georgia, and under Talmudic law. A 13 year old girl may marry in some places with her parents' permission. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2602:306:CF99:2080:15B5:30F9:7297:D47F (talk) 16:07, 13 January 2018 (UTC)

Religion
I heard in the 1970s that Jerry kept the Saturday sabbath and did not perform Friday nights (sabbath starting at sunset). Does this mean he was Jewish? George Slivinsky (talk) 17:50, 3 April 2018 (UTC)
 * Here's a discussion saying he was a Seventh Day Adventist. That would explain it nicely. http://www.usmessageboard.com/threads/was-jerry-lee-lewis-jewish.452386/ George Slivinsky (talk) 08:52, 4 April 2018 (UTC)

Irrelevant sentences
The article has a paragraph, which reads,

"A DVD entitled Last Man Standing Live, featuring concert footage with many guest artists, was released in March 2007, and the CD achieved Jerry's 10th official gold disk for selling over half-a-million copies in the US alone. Last Man Standing CD is Jerry Lee's biggest selling album of all time. It features contributions from Mick Jagger, Willie Nelson, Jimmy Page, Keith Richards and Rod Stewart, among others. If it goes gold it will be his 10th official gold record, and his first since 1973. (The Session album was awarded a Gold Disk for selling over 250,000 copies because it was a double album. Single albums and CDs have to sell over 500,000.)"

The last two sentences should not be there. Does anyone have any information about what the writer was talking about or should they just be deleted? Mclay1 (talk) 06:11, 15 November 2009 (UTC)
 * sales certification systems count double albums differently than normal albums. but the sentences should be deleted anyway. Sssoul (talk) 06:44, 15 November 2009 (UTC)

The phrase "overt sexual undertones" makes no sense. If they're overt, they're not undertones, and if they're undertones, they're not overt. This claim has no source citation, and it sounds like editorial speculation, so I'm cleaning it up a little. Dgndenver (talk) 05:20, 2 September 2018 (UTC)

Myra Gale Brown
This source says this: "Myra Gail Lewis was actually only 13 years old, a fact that would soon come out along with certain other details, such as the fact that she was Jerry Lee’s first cousin (once removed) and that the pair had married five months before his divorce from his second wife was made official." Is this correct or not? Thanks. Martinevans123 (talk) 19:54, 4 February 2019 (UTC)
 * I can't help dive into this in detail, as I'm about to go AFK, but that is generally what I recall, and seems to match the other references in the article, except I seem to recall there is/was some question how closely they were cousins (first/second/third, once/twice/thrice removed), and I can't recall what the current thinking is on that. I'd want to find something better than the History channel (or People magazine, for that matter) for specifics on that.  But the basic info is correct. --Floquenbeam (talk) 20:13, 4 February 2019 (UTC)
 * Thanks for that. And, of course she was not Dorothy Barton, in any case. Martinevans123 (talk) 20:25, 4 February 2019 (UTC)

Cousin or second cousin?
Second cousins, btw, are the children of first cousins. Or, your parents' cousins' kids are your second cousins. Your children and your sceond cousins' offspring would be 3rd cousins, and so forth24.131.12.228 19:38, 18 November 2006 (UTC)

I believe 'second cousins' refers ro people whose grand parents were siblings. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2602:306:CF99:2080:7C5B:E88C:8912:5934 (talk) 17:05, 15 August 2018 (UTC)


 * Is Myra Gale Brown his cousin or second cousin? --1523 17:48, 3 February 2006 (UTC)
 * Myra Gale is the daughter of Lewis's cousin, which I think makes her a second cousin but certianly not a first cousin. --Roisterer 07:18, 5 February 2006 (UTC)
 * That would make her a cousin "once removed". – Hattrem 13:07, 23 February 2006 (UTC)
 * First cousin once removed. Correcting it now. Nik42 06:41, 25 September 2006 (UTC)

If Myra Gale Brown wrote the book that inspired Great Balls of Fire, and Myra was his 3rd wife, why does it say that "The film was based on the book by Lewis' first ex-wife"?


 * Lewis was actually still married to his second wife at the time of his marriage to Myra, and possibly his first as well. I don't know exactly how the whole thing sorted out.  Maybe Myra divorced him before his first two wives did?  Not sure.

THE COUSIN THING - The reference to Myra and JLL's cousinhood status keeps getting changed. Myra Gale Brown was JLL's first cousin once-removed. From Nick Tosches, Hellfire, p. 107: "These cousins [JW Brown and JLL] had never met. JW (his parents had given him no Christian name, only these two lone letters) was one of the four children born to Elmo's sister Jane and her husband Henry [Elmo was JLL's father, thus Henry and Jane Brown are his aunt and uncle and JW his first cousin].  He was ten years older than Jerry Lee, and he lived in suburban Memphis with his wife, Clara Lois, and their two children, Rusty, who was not quite two, and Myra Gale [JLL's future wife, thus his first cousin once removed], who had just turned twelve the previous July." If you need pictoral proof of the relationship, please look at Wikipedia's own cousin chart at the cousin articleCousin Chart. So people, please stop chainging the cousin thing! TuckerResearch 18:58, 25 September 2006 (UTC)

What you wrote made no sence. Sardonicone 16:42, 11 April 2007 (UTC)Second cousins, btw, are the children of first cousins...


 * What the person wrote makes sense to me. Read the cousin chart that the person posted. They are first cousins once removed, according to England based terminology. I wonder if there is much biological or genetic differences between first cousins once removed children of first cousins and first cousins once removed children of grand aunts. --Sp0 18:57, 30 November 2007 (UTC)

I made changes to this sentence for clarity only. It was getting awkwardly long, and the phrase "also happened to be" sounds overly dramatic out of place in an encyclopedia. It reads cleaner as two sentences and the meaning is left unchanged.wanderingstan (talk) 00:32, 26 December 2007 (UTC)

On "The View" today (9/8/2010) Barbara Walters asked Jerry Lee Lewis about his wife whom he married in 1958 "who was 13 years old," and he replied "that's right." When asked how old he was at the time he replied "I was 21 years old . . . she was 13." Barbara then says "and she was your cousin." And Mr. Lewis clarifies "second cousin." This would seem to necessitate some changes to the discussion in the "Scandal" section, in that he clearly states her age to be 13 and that she was a second cousin. http://abc.go.com/watch/the-view/167365 AlanEisen (talk) 03:53, 9 September 2010 (UTC)
 * Not necessarily. Many reasonably intelligent people are quite igorant of the appropriate descriptors for various kinds of cousins. I grew up thinking that the daughter of my first cousin was my second cousin. In fact, however, that person is my first cousin once removed. See the detailed descriptions at Cousin. There is no reason to believe that Jerry Lee Lewis is any more expert on these matters than anyone else (not to mention that he may have a biased interest in dismissing the idea that he may have married someone too close to him genetically; in some states it is illegal to marry your first cousin), and we do have evidence that he married the daughter of his first cousin. That would make Myra his first cousin once removed. If there were a Wikipedia article about me, and I mistakenly identified my first cousin once removed as my second cousin (as I would have done before reading Cousin), that wouldn't make it true just because I said it. To change it, we need more than an offhand comment by Jerry Lee Lewis. We need a reliable source stating that Myra's father was Jerry Lee's first cousin once removed. That is a necessary condition for Myra to be his second cousin. Cresix (talk) 04:08, 9 September 2010 (UTC)

It's a good idea to be wary of lectures about language from persons who favor the dubious term "descriptors". In any case, one Wikipedia article (Cousin) is not an appropriate source for another (Jerry Lee Lewis), and the Cousin Wikipedia article happens to be very poorly written and unnecessarily confusing. I shouldn't refer anyone to it. Formally, your second cousin is the child of your parent's cousin (and thus of your generation). Informally, he's the child or parent of your cousin, which informally makes the terms second cousin and first cousin, once removed synonyms. The term second cousin is much less awkward than first cousin, once removed, though, and that may explain Jerry Lee Lewis's informal preference for it. TheScotch (talk) 08:09, 10 September 2010 (UTC)
 * TheScotch, my use of appropriate vocabulary is irrelevant to this issue. Stop personalizing this matter. And Wikipedia is not used as a source for Lewis's family tree; that is provided by reliable external sources. My only reference to Wikipedia is for the explanation of differences between first and second cousin in the Cousin article, which is appropriately sourced and perfectly acceptable (and no, it is not poorly written; perhaps you consider it "unnecessarily confusing", but to those of us who have no difficulty understanding it, it's very straightforward; I find the article Begriffsschrift confusing, but it's not "unnecessarily confusing" simply because I don't understand it). And I have no idea what you're talking about "formal" and "informal" usage. That makes no sense. This is an encylcopedia. If someone mistakenly refers to his first cousin once removed as his second cousin, you may consider that "formal" or "informal", but the bottom line is that it is wrong. We're not talking about whether it is acceptable to use the contraction "don't" instead of "do not". We are talking about facts. So unless you or anyone can provide reliable evidence to the contrary, we go with the currently reliably sourced evidence that Myra is his first cousin once removed. Cresix (talk) 16:26, 10 September 2010 (UTC)

No matter what style cousin, isn't the Wikilink on her name recursive? It just redirects back to this same article Casey (talk) 14:53, 16 August 2011 (UTC)

One of the posters was disturbed that the article referenced another Wikipedia article to describe the relationship. Here are three links to web pages which agree with this definition. I looked at the first 10 pages Google brought up, and they all agree the child of your cousin is your "first cousin once removed." Nick Beeson (talk) 21:15, 6 December 2011 (UTC)

Why not just say he "married the daughter of his first cousin"? 71.162.113.226 (talk) 00:23, 9 February 2020 (UTC)
 * Because "first cousin once removed" is accurate and the typical way it's expressed. Sundayclose (talk) 01:03, 9 February 2020 (UTC)

I agree that 1C1R is correct. Typical? In genealogical circles, it's the rule, obviously. But in my experience, second cousin, as Jerry lee Lewis himself said, is most common. I wish it weren't and I guess all I can do is set a good example, right? 71.162.113.226 (talk) 14:22, 9 February 2020 (UTC)
 * "Common" doesn't mean it should be used by Wikipedia. It's common for people in South Korea to believe that sleeping in a closed room with a fan on causes suffocation, but that doesn't mean Wikipedia should make such a statement. This is an encyclopedia, not a blog. Sundayclose (talk) 16:32, 9 February 2020 (UTC)

No, not a real one...but you know what, I give up... 71.162.113.226 (talk) 17:28, 11 February 2020 (UTC)

Article reassessment
The article has several inline "Citation needed" tags from 2018-2019. The B-class criteria (#1) states: The article is suitably referenced, with inline citations. It has reliable sources, and any important or controversial material which is likely to be challenged is cited. Any format of inline citation is acceptable. Otr500 (talk) 14:48, 15 February 2020 (UTC)

Guitar?
An editor has repeatedly added guitar to Lewis' list of instruments in the infobox, first with no source, then with links to a few YouTube videos showing Lewis playing guitar, and then citing a page in a book that simply describes a private performance to a few people in which he played guitar (but refusing to play guitar on stage). I don't consider this notable enough to include in the infobox. Many musicians play a variety of instruments, but all of the instruments aren't notable enough to include in the infobox. A couple of examples Paul McCartney played drums on a number of his recordings, but drums aren't in his infobox. John Lennon played harmonica and banjo, but those instruments are not in his infobox. Buddy Holly played violin, but violin is not in his infobox. Billy Joel and Billy Preston play organ, but organ is not in their infoboxes. An infobox is supposed to be brief and include only instruments for which the musician is most noted. Template:Infobox musical artist states that "Instruments listed in the infobox should be limited to only those that the artist is primarily known for using. The instruments infobox parameter is not intended as a WP:COATRACK for every instrument the subject has ever used." Lewis' performances are dominated by his piano playing. He is not known for playing the guitar. Sundayclose (talk) 02:11, 8 October 2020 (UTC)


 * Sorry to join the party on the discussion page on the article I edited recently, but did you not read the comment I made on the edit summary HERE. The opening sentence that I order (like all musicians) go from the beginning in the sentence saying Jerry Lee Lewis is an American musician and singer not so an example is an American singer and musician, although one of you would have already added certain points of references Lewis's musical instruments, it is good that he plays guitar because I witnessed the links that the user gave me (see here) but I'm not sure if it is exactly he plays the piano, it is not very excessive to make an edition war between the two if have not reached an agreement if the occupation and initial sentences at the beginning of the introduction of the paragraph or the musical instruments are according to the sentence order. 148.101.54.235 (talk) 20:20, 8 October 2020 (UTC)
 * Sorry, but your English is very difficult to understand. I really don't know whether you are addressing the occupation issue, the instrument issue, or both. If you are addressing the occupation issue, you need to start a separate section on this talk page. If you are addressing the instrument issue, you need to get help writing it because I have no idea what you're saying. Sundayclose (talk) 21:14, 8 October 2020 (UTC)

A Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion
The following Wikimedia Commons file used on this page or its Wikidata item has been nominated for deletion: Participate in the deletion discussion at the. —Community Tech bot (talk) 03:55, 2 February 2022 (UTC)
 * Three cousins at Delta Music Museum IMG 1209.JPG

He died
Literally just died 49.190.107.147 (talk) 22:10, 26 October 2022 (UTC)


 * Numerous sources are reporting that he is still alive and well in Memphis. This is likely a false report. Emkut7 (talk) 22:14, 26 October 2022 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 26 October 2022
Jerry Lee Lewis is still alive 174.81.138.225 (talk) 22:22, 26 October 2022 (UTC)
 * Pictogram voting wait.svg Already done That is what the article currently states. ScottishFinnishRadish (talk) 22:23, 26 October 2022 (UTC)
 * He died today according to the AP Gaslimski (talk) 16:56, 28 October 2022 (UTC)

The word 'Died' needs to be in bold on the article
The word 'Died' needs to be in bold on the article like the word 'Born' is. Xboxsponge15 (talk) 17:04, 28 October 2022 (UTC)

Alive or dead?
Conflicting reports that he is now alive after being reported dead by the major media? So any idea if anyone has filmed him alive today? Or is he dead? ￼ 50.102.147.20 (talk) 15:32, 27 October 2022 (UTC)


 * Dead as of 18:54 CEST 28/10/2022 Gaslimski (talk) 16:59, 28 October 2022 (UTC)
 * Rolling Stone has confirmed he's dead. Bedivere (talk) 17:02, 28 October 2022 (UTC)

He was reported alive by his handlers. Now reported dead again. Yes rolling stone reported him dead but other reports he is alive. Any death certificate issued by the state of Tenn yet? Any proof what so ever by a medical Dr as of his status? — Preceding unsigned comment added by 50.102.147.20 (talk) 17:10, 28 October 2022 (UTC)


 * https://ew.com/music/jerry-lee-lewis-alive-after-erronerous-report-dead/ Adam Harangozó (NIHR WiR) (talk) 17:20, 28 October 2022 (UTC)

First Recordings at J&M Studios, Not Sun Records
The article says "Lewis made his first recordings in 1956 at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee", but in fact in 1952 Lewis first recorded at J&M Studios, a cover of "Don't Stay Away (Till Love Grows Cold)" and his original "Jerry's Boogie". I will edit the article with the correct, cited facts. DocRuby (talk) 00:09, 29 October 2022 (UTC)

Semi-protected edit request on 30 October 2022
To include blues as another genre that Jerry Lee Lewis recorded in. 31.200.153.147 (talk) 16:21, 30 October 2022 (UTC)
 * Red information icon with gradient background.svg Not done: please provide reliable sources that support the change you want to be made. - FlightTime  ( open channel ) 16:24, 30 October 2022 (UTC)

Elvis was Jerrys second cousin
Just wondered if you might want to add in that Elvis was Jerry Lee Lewis second cousin and that Jerry once had an identical twin 2603:7000:D00:3291:F18C:3E5B:1F50:3ECC (talk) 02:31, 31 October 2022 (UTC)


 * Since neither is correct, no. Roisterer (talk) 03:09, 31 October 2022 (UTC)