Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Jerry Lee Lewis Suffers Stroke
Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Jerry Lee Lewis suffered a minor stroke Thursday night, according to a statement from his representative Zach Farnum.
Lewis, 83, is best known for his 1950s high-energy piano hits “Great Balls of Fire” and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.”
“Last night, Jerry Lee Lewis suffered a minor stroke,” Farum told The Tennessean. “He is with his family, recuperating in Memphis and the doctors expect a full recovery.”
Jerry Lee Lewis, best known for his 1950s rockabilly piano hits “Great Balls of Fire” and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” has suffered a stroke, his Facebook page says https://t.co/O3kKH2xzpX pic.twitter.com/KynGnVSvAS
— CNN Breaking News (@cnnbrk) March 2, 2019
“The Killer looks forward to getting back into the studio soon to record a Gospel record and on the road performing live for his fans,” Farnum said, referring to the star by his nickname.
“His family requests privacy at this time. Well wishes and prayers are greatly appreciated.”
A representative said Lewis wasn’t canceling any shows and that there is currently no reason to believe his next concert at New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in May wouldn’t continue as scheduled. https://t.co/DqzkOwhGaJ
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) March 2, 2019
While Lewis has scaled back the number of performances he commits to each year, Lewis continues to perform and delight audiences across the country.
Lewis is scheduled for a string of events heading into the summer, but Farnum does not anticipate any changes to the musician’s schedule.
According to Farnum, there is no reason to believe Lewis would not be present at the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival that starts on April 26.
Lewis, born in Louisiana, began playing the piano at age 9 and taught himself by ear based on the music he heard around him. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
“He pounded the piano with such abandon that it’s a wonder it didn’t come apart,” Lewis’ Hall of Fame bio reads. “He is a defiant, reckless, indefatigable wild man that can rock you into oblivion.”
Many fans have expressed well-wishes and prayers for the musician to make a full recovery and get back to the stage soon.
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