On October 28, 2022, TMZ confirmed that Jerry Lee Lewis had died at age 87, with his team releasing a statement on the same day. They described the late singer as one of the last true icons responsible for the birth of rock ‘n’ roll.
Jerry Lee was credited for merging gospel, blues, raw, country, and honky-tonk. His stage performances were said to have been so powerful that they threatened the late and young Elvis Presley, who cried when witnessing them.
The publication said the piano-playing star was considered one of the first true rock ‘n’ roll musicians. In 1957 he rose to fame with his first hit song, “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.”
The artist, who was well-known for putting his piano ablaze to close his shows, was nicknamed “The Killer.” Jerry Lee was a showman who got the nickname because of the way he knocked out his fans!
Ironically, two days before his death, TMZ erroneously reported that the “Great Balls of Fire” singer had died before retracting the article. Someone claiming to be the musician’s representative had said the singer had died, but he was alive at the time and living in Memphis.
When Jerry Lee died, it was revealed how and where he passed. Publications also noted who the late artist was with when he took his last breath, with his publicist sharing some touching words about him.
How Did Jerry Lee Lewis Die?
According to The Sun, Jerry Lee had his long-term wife, Judith Brown, right by his side when he passed. Zach Farnum’s representative said the late artist had died in his Desoto County, Mississippi home from “natural causes.”
The late star’s agent described him as “the last true, great icon of the birth of rock’n’roll.” Farnum, Jerry Lee’s publicist, said the late artist was there with Presley, Chuck Berry, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, Little Richard, and many more at the beginning.
He allegedly watched all the rest “fade away” slowly until he was the lone star to sing about the birth of the genre. According to his publicist, Judith was the late singer’s seventh wife, and she heard his last words.
What Were Jerry Lee Lewis’s Final Words?
At age 22, Jerry Lee’s music career was stopped short when he married Myra Gale Brown, his 13-year-old cousin. Judith worked as the singer’s caregiver until they married in 2012.
The singer had been battling health issues since 1981. He was hospitalized that year for two months after a stomach lining tear, and four years later, one-third of his stomach was removed during an ulcer surgery.
Judith] Brown shared how neither of them felt like they’d married before because it felt like the first time…
At the time, his family was informed that he had a 50-50 chance of survival. In 2010, his health deteriorated again, and that’s when the rock star decided to hire Judith as his caregiver.
Nine years later, Jerry Lee suffered a stroke that paralyzed his right hand. On October 19, 2022, he entered the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame while in bed as per his doctor’s orders.
His daughter, Phoebe, revealed she hadn’t known he and Brown were dating until they announced their wedding in 2012. Judith noted how he hadn’t been to the hospital in years until he became very sick and needed a caregiver.
Judith said the pair’s relationship wasn’t romantic at first; however, six months later, they knew something was happening between them but weren’t sure what it was. Jerry Lee’s wife recalled how he told her the ring he gave her for Christmas was a promise he’d marry her.
He suggested getting married in March 2012 in Ferriday, Mississippi and when they sat before a preacher, “everything just felt right.” Judith shared how neither of them felt like they’d married before because it felt like the first time.
Farnum also revealed that the late musician had something special that he said to his wife before he died. The publicist said Jerry Lee told his wife “he welcomed the hereafter, and that he was not afraid.”
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