Jerry Lee Lewis is an American rock and roll legend who, together with his cousins Jimmy Swaggart and Mickey Gilley, helped to shape the music culture in the 1950s. Born in Ferriday, Louisiana, in 1935, Jerry Lee Lewis was raised by his parents Elmo and Mamie Lewis and received his early musical education from local church choirs.
Lewis rose to fame with the release of “Great Balls of Fire” in 1957 which quickly became a hit song. He became kown for his unique style of playing the piano by adding a driving rhythm to it as well as making it faster and more exciting. This style of playing earned him the nickname “The Killer”. His songs such as “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On”, “Breathless”, “High School Confidential” and others established him as one of the most influential rock & roll performers of all time.
Lewis was also renowned for his off-stage antics which included numerous marriages and scandals throughout his career. One of these scandals involved his marriage to Myra Gale Brown who was only 13 at the time; Brown was also Lewis’ second cousin whom he had known since childhood. This caused a great amount of controversy for both individuals with many people labeling this relationship as “incest” or “bigamy”.
Furthermore, Lewis has two cousins who have also made their mark on music history: Jimmy Swaggart and Mickey Gilley. Jimmy Swaggart is a Pentecostal evangelist while Mickey Gilley is a country singer-songwriter who has written over 40 Top 10 hits on the country music charts throughout his career. Both Swaggart and Gilley are well-known for their musical talents as well as their contributions to American culture through religious services or concerts respectively.
Overall, Jerry Lee Lewis is an important figure in American culture due to his distinctive style of playing piano and off-stage antics together with other important family members such as Jimmy Swaggert and Mickey Gilley who have contributed greatly to American music history through their respective genres. As such, Jerry Lee Lewis will continue to be remembered for years to come for his unique musical style that changed the course of Rock & Roll forever.
Jerry Lee Lewis’ Age When He Married His 13 Year Old Cousin
Jerry Lee Lewis was 22 years old when he married his 13-year-old second cousin, Myra Gale Brown, in 1957. The marriage caused an uproar in the press due to the large age difference between them and the fact that Lewis was still married to his second wife, Jane Mitchum, at the time. This generated speculation about potential incest and bigamy.
Source: usatoday.com
Are Jerry Lee Lewis and Jimmy Swaggart Cousins?
Yes, Jerry Lee Lewis and Jimmy Swaggart are cousins. They were born within a twelve-month span in small-town Louisiana during the Great Depression. Jerry Lee Lewis was born on September 29, 1935, while Jimmy Swaggart was born on March 15, 1935. They both share the same great-grandparents – Martha Elizabeth Cole and Robert Elmo Lewis – making them first cousins once removed. Their relationship is further strengthened by the fact that Mickey Gilley – another famous cousin from their extended family – was born between them on March 9, 1936.
Relationship of Jimmy Swaggart
Jimmy Swaggart is related to the legendary musicians Mickey Gilley and Jerry Lee Lewis. Gilley is his cousin while Lewis is his second cousin. Jimmy Swaggart married Frances Swaggart in 1952 and they have a son, Donnie Swaggart, together. Jimmy Swaggart has been a popular televangelist since the 1960s and is known for his Pentecostal ministry. He currently runs the website jsm.org which provides sermons, music, and other ministry resources.
Jerry Lee’s Famous Preacher Cousin
Jimmy Lee Swaggart is the famous preacher cousin of Jerry Lee Lewis. He was born in Ferriday, Louisiana and started his preaching career by preaching from the back of a flatbed pickup truck in 1955. He gained stardom in the 1980s as a television evangelist, and became a household name for many through his television programs and his public speaking engagements. He has written numerous books about Christianity, including “The Expositor’s Study Bible” and “The Message of the Cross”. He has also recorded numerous gospel albums, such as his classic “Live at Green’s Grocery” album.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Jerry Lee Lewis was a remarkable musician and songwriter who achieved incredible success throughout his long career. His influence on rock ‘n’ roll and popular music remains strong to this day. Despite some controversial moments in his life, including marrying his 13-year-old cousin when he was 22, Lewis is a beloved figure in the music industry and beyond. He is also a symbol of resilience, having overcome poverty and personal struggles to achieve great things. With over 30 million records sold worldwide, Jerry Lee Lewis continues to be an inspiration for many aspiring musicians.
