While I do have a few reservations regards the claim that this book was supposedly to be the one to reveal everything ‘bout ol’ Jerry Lee (Lewis), it does tell you a great deal about his upbringing in the American Deep South. How the people lived and how for example, his father help build Angola prison and of his family, cousins and uncles (and there were lots of them). Although as already noted it does keep a little in reserve of his later life, it does give a wonderful account of the killer’s colourful life.
The book is a fascinating read, especially if you don’t already know a good deal about him. For those who do I have to question what is there that is totally new. A little, but nothing students of Jerry Lee and fans in general of his era. But that may just me, taking for granted that most people too are familiar to such a degree about the piano playing genius. Respected American journalist Bragg does get the best out of Lewis when it comes to his early days. How his legacy came from the most humble of beginnings. Not only when it came to his home life, but also the unique fashion the career, a roller coaster one if there ever were one got up and running. How the one time bubble gum popping, comic book fan emerged from the shadows alone makes for great reading.
The book doesn’t avoid his frailties; as one marriage followed another Jerry Lee’s life and career stumbled through a spell of ill health and no little abuse during the late 1970s and 1980s. Plus as the books reveal he applied for bankruptcy in 1988, and it wasn’t the only time the deck seemed to be stacked against the killer, because in 1958 on getting married for the third time he fuelled the wrath of the British press, then American Radio and saw his career derailed. For Myra Brown not only was aged just 13 but a first cousin removed of the Louisiana-born Lewis. It seriously harmed his career. With marriages and tragedy never far away the book, and Jerry Lee with guidance from Bragg has plenty to talk about, and in general that is exactly what he does. In 1994 the IRS came down on him good and hard, took a bunch of personal possessions (while he was living in Ireland) and made him pay 14cents in the dollar for unpaid taxes.
Among those who gain more than just a passing mention, JLL speaks of his relationship with Elvis (Presley), Sam Phillips and Johnny Cash. Plus of how it has been in his blood to play, perform on stage. Ever since those youthful days at church and halls it is with the early days the books greatest interest and detailed account lies. Plus the likes of his less than friendly rivalry with Chuck Berry, and how his father, Elmo Lewis once pulled a Barlow knife on the singer.
On the music front he spans country music, gospel and his beloved rock‘n’roll; and knows a great deal about all formats. At times Jerry Lee may have been a troubled man, ran into a few brick walls but give him his ol’ piano and he’s still a genius. His latest record Rock & Roll Time isn’t only good, but better than much of what he was doing twenty odd years ago. A real survivor, and remarkably the only one left from the famed Million Dollar Quartet still alive today.
Maurice Hope