The Lonely Goatherd Blog And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats - Matthew 25:32
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September 29, 2002
The devil's favorite singer Jerry Lee Lewis was born September 29, 1935.
Everybody knows a couple of obvious early hits, "Great Balls of Fire" and "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On." Some of the effect, though, may be lost on folks in this more secular age who don't get the blasphemy of these recordings. Indeed, Lewis himself was convinced that this rock and roll he was singing was so wicked that he would certainly and quite literally go to hell for it. Well, if you're going to hell, you might as well go in a big way. The total abandonment to his self-perceived wickedness gives his work the soul that makes it so special.
These cornerstones of the house of rock essentially recast fundamentalist gospel imagery as sexual innuendo. "Great Balls of Fire" in particular commandeers the classic imagery of the day of pentacost, the first church meeting, during which flames of fire appeared over the congregants as a symbol of the presence of god in his manifestation as the Holy Ghost.
His determination that he is purely hellbound made him determined to get his rewards in this one, and give not a rat's ass about consequences. Perhaps only Keith Richards among all rockers has survived harder or more extended drug abuse, something that cannot be said for a couple Lewis' wives who have died under questionable circumstances. Jerry Lee lives every day like it's 1999.
Besides his first couple of years at Sun records, he had an outstanding career as a "country" singer with Mercury records in the 1970s. His musical style didn't really change, just the marketing. One particular highlight from that era that shouldn't be lost: the beautiful country waltz "Middle Aged Crazy." Few would sing of this character in sympathy, or with as much conviction.
Also check out the biopic Great Balls of Fire, starring Dennis Quaid. The film seemed to largely slip through the cracks with the public, but it's a must see for any true rocker.
Here's hoping he enjoys birthday #67 and many more before he gets to being Satan's bitch for all eternity.
