Great balls of fire: Jerry Lee Lewis alive and kicking despite reports
Rock’n’roll pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis is alive and kicking, despite a false report from TMZ which prompted widespread coverage that the Great Balls Of Fire singer had died.
Image: Silvio Tanaka
Lewis, 87, is still living in Memphis, the website later confirmed.
“Earlier today we were told by someone claiming to be Lewis’ rep that he had passed. That turned out not to be the case,” TMZ wrote while retracting its shocking report.
CBS Sacramento was among the outlets to pick up the story, then take it back.
A representative for the singer has since confirmed that Lewis is “alive” and that TMZ had “reported erroneously off a bulls**t anonymous tip” when breaking the news about his supposed passing.
The controversial star was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame last week, but couldn’t attend because he was sick with the flu.
“It is with heartfelt sadness and disappointment that I write to you today from my sick bed, rather than be able to share my thoughts in person,” Lewis wrote in an acceptance speech posted to Facebook.
“I tried everything I could to build up the strength to come today – I’ve looked so forward to it since I found out about it earlier this year.”
Lewis was a rock ‘n’ roll superstar in the late 1950s, with hits including Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.
In 1958, the world learned that he had married his 13-year-old cousin. He later refashioned himself as a country star, but never regained his superstardom.
