116-506: Ray Gun Suitcase is the tenth album by the American rock group Pere Ubu . In 2005, to celebrate Pere Ubu's thirtieth anniversary, a "Director's Cut" was released with new mastering, alternative mixes, and two bonus tracks. David Thomas explains: "The point of doing a Director's Cut is to benefit from that older and wiser thing. I reviewed all alternate mixes from the session, sometimes discovering that an earlier mix turned out to be superior to
232-472: A boogie-woogie rendition of "My God Is Real" at a church assembly, it ended his association with the school the same night. Pearry Green, then president of the student body, related how during a talent show Lewis played some "worldly" music. The next morning, the dean of the school called Lewis and Green into his office to expel them. After that incident, he went home and started playing at clubs in and around Ferriday and Natchez, Mississippi , becoming part of
348-592: A 13 date UK tour in November 2013 with support from the Pere Ubu Moon Unit (consisting of Thomas and other members of the main band). The 12th gig was an underscoring to Roger Corman 's ' X, The Man With X Ray Eyes ' at the Cinecity Brighton Film Festival on November 23. Between November 27 and December 6 the group played nine dates across mainland Europe. In 2015, Fire Records issued a mini-album of
464-531: A book was published to coincide with the new album. 'Cogs The Making of Carnival Of Souls' contained essays by David Thomas, commentary from the musicians and album lyrics. On September 12, the Pere Ubu Fim Group (on this occasion Thomas, Keith Moliné, Gagarin and Darryl Boon) performed their live underscore to Carnival of Souls at the L'Étrange Festival, Forum des Images in Paris, France. The band embarked on
580-677: A car dealership in Ferriday. The hit of his set was his performance of R&B artist Stick McGhee 's "Drinkin' Wine, Spo-Dee-O-Dee". On the live album By Request, More of the Greatest Live Show on Earth , Lewis is heard naming Moon Mullican as an artist who inspired him. His mother enrolled him at the Southwest Bible Institute in Waxahachie, Texas , so that he could sing evangelical songs exclusively. When Lewis daringly played
696-905: A celebration of the anarchic comedy outfit of that name. The cast included George Wendt , John Goodman , Todd Rundgren , Chloe Webb and Loudon Wainwright among others. Just over three weeks later Thomas, partnered by the Paleboys, joined Hal Willner 's tribute to director Federico Fellini and composer Nino Rota . 'Perfect Partners ' took place at London's Barbican Theatre and the production also featured Carla Bley , Roy Nathanson , Roger Eno , Kate St John , Beth Orton and Geri Allen . 2004 also saw Pere Ubu support Spiritualized at London's Royal Festival Hall on 1 August, Rocket From The Tombs played Kassel in Germany on 25 September and David Thomas and Two Pale Boys performed extensively in Europe and America with
812-476: A completely different mix of "Modern Dance" from the album version), Pere Ubu signed to Blank Records, a short-lived imprint of Mercury Records . Tony Maimone signed on as bassist after Tim Wright left to join DNA . Their debut album, The Modern Dance (1978), sold poorly, but has proven influential. Musicians of many types, including progressive rock , punk rock , post punk and new wave , were influenced by
928-523: A crime scene: Jerry Lee Lewis slaughters his rivals in a thirteen-song set that feels like one long convulsion." Frustrated by Smash's inability to score a hit, Lewis was planning on leaving the label when promotions manager Eddie Kilroy pitched the idea of cutting a pure country record in Nashville . With nothing to lose, Lewis agreed to record the Jerry Chesnut song " Another Place, Another Time ", which
1044-468: A double CD Rogue's Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs, and Chanteys . In the summer of 2008, Willner brought a three date live show of the work to the UK and Ireland. David Thomas who had contributed versions of 'Dan Dan' and 'The Drunken Sailor' to the album joined the cast along with Pere Ubu guitarist Keith Moliné for all performances. In 2009, Bring Me The Head of Ubu Roi was staged once again; this time at
1160-447: A film noir made in 1947 by Orson Welles . The band comprised David Thomas; Keith Moliné; Michele Temple; Robert Wheeler; Steve Mehlman and Gagarin. Clarinettist Darryl Boon guested on the disc. A book, 'Chinese Whispers The Making of Pere Ubu's 'Lady from Shanghai', was published at the same time. This included an account of the creation of the album modelled on the parlour game Chinese Whispers . On February 17, 2013, Pere Ubu performed
1276-854: A four disc remastred vinyl box set, Elitism For the People 1975-1978. This comprised the Hearpen singles, The Modern Dance , Dub Housing and a live recording from 1977, made in New York at Max's Kansas City . A new Rocket from the Tombs disc Black Record appeared on November 21, again on Fire Records. The band was Thomas; Craig Bell; Gary Siperko; Buddy Akita; and Steve Mehlman with contributions from Akita's colleagues from This Moment In Black History : Lamont Thomas; Lawrence Caswell; and Chris Kulcsar. Rocket From The Tombs played eight American dates in December 2015 followed by
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#17331065052441392-642: A gig bannered '55 Years of Pain' in June at the Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alongside 15-60-75 . The band then teamed up in September 2000 with special guest Wayne Kramer for another performance of '55 Years of Pain'. This time at the Royal Festival Hall, Southbank, London. Although Pere Ubu took a break from touring in 2001, they worked on material for a new album. Thomas also devoted himself for much of
1508-477: A good person and treat people right." Lewis was married seven times, including bigamous marriages and a marriage with his underage cousin. He had six children during his marriages. When Jerry Lee Lewis was 16, he married Dorothy Barton, the daughter of a preacher. The union lasted from February 1952 to October 1953. Lewis's second marriage to Sally Jane Mitcham in September 1953, was of dubious validity because it occurred 23 days before his divorce from Barton
1624-454: A live soundtrack to a 3-D screening of ' It Came from Outer Space ' at the Royal Festival Hall, London on October 9, 2002. This performance direction reflected a formative influence on Pere Ubu and Thomas's long-held affection for B-Movies. 2002 was also marked by an officially release, on Feb 1, of Rocket From the Tombs' recordings on Smog Veil Records. While bootlegs of varying quality had long circulated The Day The Earth Met The Rockets From
1740-534: A major part of Lewis's repertoire. As Colin Escott observes in the sleeve to the 1995 compilation Killer Country , the conversion to country music in 1968 "looked at the time like a radical shift, but it was neither as abrupt nor as unexpected as it seemed. Jerry had always recorded country music, and his country breakthrough 'Another Place, Another Time' had been preceded by countless country records starting with his first, ' Crazy Arms ', in 1956." The last time Lewis had had
1856-467: A new Pere Ubu album in 2012 - tracks in progress appearing on the band's website 'Ubu Projex' throughout the year - there were no live performances by the band. A scheduled 16-date Rocket From the Tombs tour in May 2012 was disrupted when David Thomas fell ill. The first eight gigs in Europe were cancelled, six took place before Thomas became ill again resulting in the cancellation of the final two dates. However,
1972-507: A new song he recorded called "It Was the Whiskey Talkin' (Not Me)" was included in the soundtrack to the hit movie Dick Tracy . The song is also heard in the movie, playing on the radio. The public downfall of his cousin, televangelist Jimmy Swaggart around the same time, resulted in more adverse publicity to a troubled family. Swaggart is also a piano player, as is another cousin, country music star Mickey Gilley . All three listened to
2088-568: A number of the shows Gagarin performed by video link from his studio in London. Three dates followed in Europe during November before the band played several gigs in the UK and Ireland under the heading of the 'Visions of the Moon tour'. The set that featured some of the material that would appear on the Carnival of Souls album. On August 4, 2013, Tim Wright , bassist in the original Pere Ubu line up, died at
2204-408: A popular televangelist). His parents mortgaged their farm to buy him a piano. Lewis was influenced by a piano-playing older cousin, Carl McVoy (who later recorded with Bill Black 's Combo), the radio, and the sounds from Haney's Big House, a black juke joint across the tracks. On November 19, 1949, Lewis made his first public performance of his career, playing with a country and western band at
2320-482: A remarkable turnaround, Lewis became the most bankable country star in the world. He was so huge in 1970 that his former Smash producer Shelby Singleton , who purchased Sun Records from Sam Phillips in July 1969, wasted no time in repackaging many of Lewis's old country recordings with such effectiveness that many fans assumed they were recent releases. One of his later unreleased Sun recordings, " One Minute Past Eternity ",
2436-484: A revitalized public interest in vintage rock and roll , inspired Mercury to fly Lewis to London in 1973 to record with a cadre of British and Irish musicians, including Rory Gallagher , Kenney Jones , and Albert Lee. By all accounts the sessions were tense. The remake of Lewis's old Sun cut "Drinking Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee" was the album's hit single, reaching number 20 on the Billboard country chart and peaking at number 41 on
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#17331065052442552-689: A show at the State-X New Forms Festival in Den Haag, Netherlands. After two appearances in England the band returned to Europe performing in Diksmuide, Belgium and at the Festival Les Aventuriers, in Paris on December 16. Jerry Lee Lewis Jerry Lee Lewis (September 29, 1935 – October 28, 2022) was an American pianist, singer and songwriter. Nicknamed " The Killer ", he
2668-529: A social visit while Perkins was in the studio cutting new tracks with Lewis backing him on piano. Johnny Cash was also there watching Perkins. The four then started an impromptu jam session and Phillips left the tape running. These recordings, almost half of which were gospel songs, were released on CD as Million Dollar Quartet . Tracks also include Elvis Presley's " Don't Be Cruel " and " Paralyzed ", Chuck Berry 's " Brown Eyed Handsome Man ", and Pat Boone 's "Don't Forbid Me". Lewis's own singles (on which he
2784-423: A song called "Blue Velvet" (again, no relation to the 1963 hit song by Bobby Vinton ). While most synthesizer players tended to play the instrument as they would a piano or organ , Ravenstine generally opted instead to make sounds that were reminiscent of spooky sound effects from 1950s science fiction films, or perhaps electronic music and musique concrète . One critic writes that Ravenstine "may be one of
2900-787: A song on the country charts was with "Pen and Paper" in 1964, which had reached number 36, but "Another Place, Another Time" would go all the way to number 4 and remain on the charts for 17 weeks. Between 1968 and 1977, Lewis had 17 Top 10 hit singles on the Billboard country chart, including four chart-toppers. Hits include "What's Made Milwaukee Famous (Has Made A Loser Out of Me)", "To Make Love Sweeter For You", "She Still Comes Around (To Love What's Left of Me)", "Since I Met You Baby", "Once More With Feeling", "One Has My Name (The Other Has My Heart)", and "Sometimes A Memory Ain't Enough". The production on his early country albums, such as Another Place, Another Time and She Even Woke Me Up To Say Goodbye ,
3016-520: A song that they felt would be perfect for Lewis and, as Colin Escott writes in the sleeve to the retrospective A Half Century of Hits , "Mercury held the presses, thinking they had found Lewis's comeback hit, and it might have happened if the Beatles hadn't arrived in America, changing radio playlists almost overnight. Mercury didn't really know what to do with Lewis after that." One of Smash's first decisions
3132-445: A source of inspiration. Although almost entirely self-taught, Lewis conceded to biographer Rich Bragg in 2014 that Paul Whitehead, a blind pianist from Meadville, Mississippi, was another key influence on him in his earliest days playing clubs. Along with Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Roy Orbison, Lewis received the first Grammy Award in the spoken-word category for the very rare album of interviews released with some early copies of
3248-462: A special private show at the 100 Club on October 25, and at the London Forum on October 28 with Wanda Jackson and his sister, Linda Gail Lewis . In August 2009, in advance of his new album, a single entitled " Mean Old Man " was released for download. It was written by Kris Kristofferson . An EP featuring this song and four more was also released on November 11. On October 29, 2009, Lewis opened
3364-551: A strong-minded and fierce passion for music making. In very different ways, they all have left a lasting impact on the industry and generations of fans alike. I am thrilled to welcome this deserving class to the Country Music Hall of Fame." "I'm just overwhelmed that they asked me here today," Lewis, 86, said during an event earlier that week at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, adding that his career had taught him to "be
3480-564: A studio in Nashville . It was at the latter studio that Lewis recorded his only major hit during this period, a rendition of Ray Charles 's " What'd I Say " in 1961. In Europe, other updated versions of " Sweet Little Sixteen " (September 1962 UK) and " Good Golly, Miss Molly " (March 1963) entered the hit parade . On popular EPs, "Hang Up My Rock and Roll Shoes", "I've Been Twistin ' ", "Money", and "Hello Josephine" also became turntable hits, especially in nascent discothèques . Another recording of Lewis playing an instrumental boogie arrangement of
3596-434: A twenty-year absence to tour with the band in 1995, and went on to record Pennsylvania (1998), which also featured guitar contributions from Jim Jones. Guitarist Wayne Kramer of MC5 fame joined the band for their 1998 summer tour. While much of 2000 was given over to live performances by Thomas's side projects - David Thomas and Two Pale Boys ( Andy Diagram and Keith Moliné ) and The Pale Orchestra - Pere Ubu played
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3712-481: A variety of long-term and recurring band members, with singer David Thomas being the only member staying throughout the band's lifetime. They released their debut album The Modern Dance in 1978 and followed with several more LPs before disbanding in 1982. Thomas reformed the group in 1987, continuing to record and tour. Describing their sound as "avant-garage," Pere Ubu's work drew inspiration from sources such as musique concrète , 60s rock , performance art , and
3828-560: Is certain is that Siggi Loch on this spring evening captured something brutally honest about the Killer, about the primal and timeless centre of the very best rock & roll..." The album showcases Lewis's skills as a pianist and singer, honed by relentless touring. In a 5-out-of-5-stars review, Milo Miles wrote in Rolling Stone magazine that " Live at the Star Club, Hamburg is not an album, it's
3944-516: Is characterized by a regular left-hand bass figure and dancing beat, but his command of the instrument and highly individualistic style set him apart. Appearing on Memphis Sounds with George Klein in 2011, Lewis credited his older piano-playing cousin Carl McVoy as being a crucial influence, stating, "He was a great piano player, a great singer, and a nice-looking man, carried himself real well. I miss Carl very much." Lewis also cited Moon Mullican as
4060-512: Is two songs, for about eight minutes of stage time maximum) and invited Del Wood —the one member of the Opry who had been kind to him when he had been there as a teenager—out on stage to sing with him. He also blasted through "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On", "Workin' Man Blues", "Good Golly, Miss Molly", and a number of other classics. Lewis returned to the pop charts with " Me and Bobby McGee " in 1971 and " Chantilly Lace " in 1972, and this, coupled with
4176-574: The Class of '55 album in 1986. The original Sun cut of "Great Balls of Fire" was elected to the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998, and Lewis's Sun recording of "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" received this honor in 1999. Only recordings that are at least 25 years old and have left a lasting impression can receive this honor. On February 12, 2005, Lewis received the Recording Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award
4292-594: The Glenn Miller Orchestra 's " In the Mood " was issued on the Phillips International label under the pseudonym "The Hawk". Lewis's turbulent personal life was hidden from the public until a May 1958 British tour where Ray Berry, a news agency reporter at London's Heathrow Airport (the only journalist present), learned about Lewis's third wife, Myra Gale Brown. She is Lewis's first cousin once removed and
4408-515: The London Sinfonietta , Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill 's ' Alabama Song '. And, as was now becoming customary when the band was not on the road, Pere Ubu guitarist Keith Moliné joined David Thomas with trumpeter Andy Diagram for a series of improvisational gigs across Europe. From May until the end of 2006 Pere Ubu gigged in Europe and America. On October 29 at the Royce Hall, Los Angeles,
4524-689: The National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress . According to several first-hand sources, including Johnny Cash , Lewis, a devout Christian, was troubled by the sinful nature of his own material, which he believed was leading him and his audience to Hell . This aspect of Lewis's character was depicted in Waylon Payne 's portrayal of Lewis in the 2005 film Walk the Line , based on Cash's autobiographies. As part of his stage act, Lewis pounded
4640-633: The industrial environments of the American Midwest . While the band achieved little commercial success, they have exerted a wide influence on subsequent underground music . Rocket from the Tombs was a Cleveland-based group that eventually fragmented: some members formed the Dead Boys , and others The Saucers, while David Thomas and guitarist Peter Laughner joined with guitarist Tom Herman, bass guitarist Tim Wright , drummer Scott Krauss and synthesist Allen Ravenstine to form Pere Ubu in 1975. At
4756-603: The 'Modern Dance' album in full at the 'I'll Be Your Mirror' festival in Melbourne, Australia. A production of Bring Me The Head of Ubu Roi: Chamber Version' aired on March 8 in Lodz, Poland. This small cast version of the play featured Thomas, Gagarin, Malgosia Sady and Kiersty Boon. An 11-date Pere Ubu tour of England followed in April 2013. A further gig in London on June 16 launched a European tour in June and July. Then on July 13, as part of
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4872-403: The 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. Lewis was the last surviving member of Sun Records ' Million Dollar Quartet and the album Class of '55 , which also included Johnny Cash , Carl Perkins , Roy Orbison , and Elvis Presley . Music critic Robert Christgau said of Lewis: "His drive, his timing, his offhand vocal power, his unmistakable boogie -plus piano, and his absolute confidence in
4988-438: The 21st century, Lewis continued to tour worldwide and released new albums. His 2006 album Last Man Standing was his best-selling release, with over a million copies worldwide. This was followed by Mean Old Man in 2010, another of his bestselling albums. Lewis had a dozen gold records in rock and country. He won four Grammy awards, including a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award and two Grammy Hall of Fame Awards. Lewis
5104-566: The Animator Festival, Poznań, Poland on July 11. The band's new album, Long Live Père Ubu! , released September 14 on Cooking Vinyl Records with the American release issued on Hearpen Records. The disc reprised the Ubu Roi story. Sarah Jane Morris guested on the disc as did Ubu's sound man Gagarin. The rest of the band comprised: Thomas, Moliné, Wheeler, Temple and Mehlman. During the Fall and winter
5220-516: The Beachland Ballroom in Cleveland was a benefit for an increasingly ill Jim Jones. Richard Lloyd recorded and engineered live in the studio performances of the original Rockets' songs. Originally, 'Rocket Redux' was sold as gig-only merchandise until it was commercially released the following year by Smog Veil Records. Live film accompaniment came to the fore again for Pere Ubu in 2004. Firstly,
5336-501: The Billboard 200 album chart. On November 5, 2007, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland , Ohio, honored Lewis with six days of conferences, interviews, a DVD premiere, and film clips, dedicated to him and entitled The Life And Music of Jerry Lee Lewis . On November 10, the week culminated with a tribute concert compered by Kris Kristofferson . Lewis
5452-601: The East End Film Festival, the band once more performed their live underscore to Carnival of Souls . In September, Pere Ubu played 17 dates in America and Canada. Protracted discussions with the US Customs and Immigration Service had preceded the tour but visas were denied to Keith Moliné and Gagarin. David Cintron guitarist with a number of Cleveland bands including the Terminal Lovers took Moliné's place. However, at
5568-644: The Man With X-Ray Eyes : March 24 at the Neighborhood Theater, Charlotte, North Carolina and March 25 at the Plaza Theater, Atlanta, Georgia. On February 18, 2008, Jim Jones , former guitarist, associate of the band from its earliest days and US manager for many years of the group's online store, died at his Cleveland residence. On April 24, 2008, the Ether festival at London's South Bank Centre hosted
5684-639: The Moon Unit's November 21 performance in Leeds, England. From late January 2015 until the end of February, the group continued touring in Europe with material from Carnival of Souls with the Pere Ubu Moon Unit often providing support. Five dates in July in the UK were followed by a show at the New Horizons International Film Festival in Wroclaw, Poland on July 26. On August 21 Fire Records issued
5800-849: The Museum of Contemporary Art in North Adams, Massachusetts and November 5 at the Regent Square Theater in Pittsburgh. 2005 also saw David Thomas join Wayne Kramer and the newly monikered DKT-MC5 as well as the Sun Ra Arkestra on 25 February at the Royal Festival Hall London. When Patti Smith organised the 'Meltdown Festival' in June at the Royal Festival Hall, London she invited Thomas to take part. He sang, with accompaniment from
5916-545: The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame 25th Anniversary concert at Madison Square Garden in New York City. In May 2013, Lewis opened a new club on Beale Street in Memphis. Lewis was still considered actively performing in concert, though he had to cancel all shows following his February 28, 2019, stroke, waiting for his doctors' go-ahead. In 2017, Lewis had a personal presence at The Country Music Television Skyville Live show. It
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#17331065052446032-425: The Star Club, Hamburg is regarded by many music journalists and fans as one of the wildest and greatest live rock albums ever. In 1968, Lewis made a transition into country music and had hits with songs such as " Another Place, Another Time ". This reignited his career, and throughout the late 1960s and 1970s, he regularly topped the country-western charts; throughout his seven-decade career, Lewis had 30 songs reach
6148-465: The Tombs album, 'Barfly' appeared in September on Fire Records and Smog Veil Records. The band was: David Thomas ; Cheetah Chrome ; Craig Bell; Richard Lloyd and Steve Mehlman and they played seven dates in the USA throughout December. 2011 also marked the first live underscoring to a screening of ' Carnival of Souls ', a horror film directed in 1962 by Herk Harvey . David Thomas and Two Pale Boys debuted
6264-498: The Tombs' drew on original rehearsal and concert masters from 1974. Pere Ubu's 'Mighty Road' tour resumed in February 2003 with 10 dates in the US. 2003 was also notable for performances in the summer and winter across the US and Canada by a revived Rocket From The Tombs . The band comprised David Thomas, Cheetah Chrome , Craig Bell, Richard Lloyd and Steve Mehlman. Of the 33 dates, one at
6380-549: The Top 10 on the Billboard Country and Western Chart . His No. 1 country hits included " To Make Love Sweeter for You ", " There Must Be More to Love Than This ", " Would You Take Another Chance on Me ", and " Me and Bobby McGee ". Lewis's successes continued throughout the decades, and he embraced his rock and roll past with songs such as a cover of The Big Bopper 's " Chantilly Lace " and Mack Vickery 's "Rockin' My Life Away". In
6496-702: The age of 63. Pere Ubu's first performance of 2014 was at the Sons d'hiver festival in Creteil, France on February 15. On September 8 Carnival of Souls was released on Fire Records. The album had its musical roots in the live accompaniment that both Pere Ubu and David Thomas and Two Pale Boys had performed for a number of years to screenings of the Herk Harvey B-movie of that name. The band comprised: David Thomas; Keith Moliné; Michele Temple; Robert Wheeler; Steve Mehlman; Gagarin;and Darryl Boon. As with 'Lady From Shanghai',
6612-479: The age of 87 due to an illness. His death was mistakenly reported by TMZ two days before he died, with a representative stating that TMZ had reported "erroneously off of an anonymous tip." His funeral was held on November 5, 2022, in his hometown of Ferriday, Louisiana. The service was officiated by his cousin Jimmy Swaggart and Swaggart's son. Lewis was an incendiary showman who often played with his fists, elbows, feet, and backside, sometimes climbing on top of
6728-401: The all-time great synth players" and his playing has been called "utterly original". Pere Ubu's second and third albums, Dub Housing and New Picnic Time , followed with much the same reaction. The group briefly disbanded in 1979, but reformed soon afterwards with Herman replaced by Mayo Thompson (of Red Krayola ). The Art of Walking (1980) featured Thompson on guitar. For
6844-405: The band during the Ray Gun Suitcase sessions. For the Ray Gun Suitcase tour, guitarist Jim Jones departed as a touring member (although he continued to contribute to recordings), founding guitarist Tom Herman replaced him for the tour. Concurrent with the 1996 release of the Datapanik in Year Zero box set, Jim Jones retired due to health problems. Tom Herman returned to the band after
6960-463: The band played five gigs in America and Canada in October of that year. In 2012, Thomas published 'The Book of Hieroglyphs', in which he ruminated on America and the nature of being an American. The book drew on lyrics from Pere Ubu, The Two Pale Boys and other Thomas works, supplemented by a number of essays. The Pere Ubu long player Lady from Shanghai was released, January 7, 2013, on Fire Records. Its title referenced ' The Lady from Shanghai ',
7076-668: The best gig I ever saw in my life which was Pere Ubu supported by the Human League on the tiny stage of the F Club in Leeds [December, 7 1978]." St. Arkansas was released on 20 May 2002 on Glitterhouse Records. The group comprised David Thomas, Tom Herman, Robert Wheeler, Michele Temple and Steve Mehlman. Jim Jones again contributed guitar parts. In September 2002 the band undertook the 11 date 'Mighty Road Tour in American and Canada. Tom Herman left again in late 2002, being replaced by Keith Moliné from David Thomas and Two Pale Boys. That same year, Thomas and Moliné were joined by Robert Wheeler, Michele Temple and Chris Cutler . They performed
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#17331065052447192-756: The burgeoning new rock and roll sound and cutting his first demo recording in 1952 for Cosimo Matassa in New Orleans. Around 1955, he traveled to Nashville , where he played in clubs and attempted to build interest, but was turned down by the Grand Ole Opry , as he was already at the Louisiana Hayride country stage and radio show in Shreveport . Lewis made his first recordings in 1952 at Cosimo Matassa 's J&M Recording Studio in New Orleans , Louisiana. He covered Lefty Frizzell 's "Don't Stay Away (Till Love Grows Cold)" and his own instrumental composition "Jerry's Boogie" ( a.k.a. New Orleans Boogie). In November 1956, Lewis traveled to Memphis, Tennessee , to audition for Sun Records . Label owner Sam Phillips
7308-628: The cast of Hal Willner 's live show Rogue's Gallery: Pirate Ballads, Sea Songs, and Chanteys . Thomas followed that show at the Sydney Opera House, Australia on January 28 with a concert of Pere Ubu songs, again in Sydney, on January 31 where he was backed by local band The Holy Soul. Thomas also revived his spoken word set 'the Ghost Line Diaries', originally aired at the 14th Genoa International Poetry Festival, Genoa, Italy, on June 19, 2008. Three gigs took place: Copenhagen, Denmark on October 9; Boston, USA on October 23 and in Geneva, Switzerland on December 5. On March 19, 2011, Tom Herman, guitarist from
7424-480: The ceremony took place, so he remarried Brown on June 4, 1958. They had two children: Steve Allen Lewis (1959–1962) and Phoebe Allen Lewis (b. 1963). Brown was only 14 years old when their son was born. In 1962, Steve Allen Lewis drowned in a swimming pool accident at the age of 3. In 1970, Brown filed for divorce on the grounds of adultery and abuse , stating that she had been "subject to every type of physical and mental abuse imaginable." His fourth marriage
7540-421: The chosen mix. As well, 10 years later, we have access to improved mastering technology. Consequently, there is a greater clarity and cohesion to the Director's Cut. We are not going to make both versions available. The Director's Cut is the way it's supposed to be. Period." * - Director's Cut only with: Pere Ubu Pere Ubu is an American rock group formed in Cleveland , Ohio, in 1975. The band had
7656-456: The dark, abstract record. With the song "Sentimental Journey," the debut also introduced the practice of re-appropriating titles from well-known popular songs: Pere Ubu's "Sentimental Journey" has no obvious relation to the Doris Day hit song of the same name ; "Drinking Wine Spodyody" has no apparent connection to the Sticks McGhee song (later revived by Jerry Lee Lewis ). This practice has continued through 2006's Why I Hate Women , which has
7772-433: The day before the Recording Academy's main Grammy Awards ceremony, which he also attended. In June 1989, Lewis was honored for his contribution to the recording industry with a star along Hollywood Boulevard on the Hollywood Walk of Fame . On October 10, 2007, Lewis received the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's American Music Masters Award. His next album, Mean Old Man , was released in September 2010 and reached No. 30 on
7888-420: The face of the void make Jerry Lee the quintessential rock and roller." Jerry Lee Lewis was born on September 29, 1935, to Elmo Kidd Lewis Sr. and Mary "Mamie" Herron Lewis in Ferriday, Louisiana . He grew up in an impoverished farming family in Eastern Louisiana. In his youth, he began playing the piano with two of his cousins, Mickey Gilley (later a popular country music singer) and Jimmy Swaggart (later
8004-680: The finale's final act with a medley of " Roll Over Beethoven ", "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin On", and "Great Balls of Fire". In December 2019, Lewis was honored with a Mississippi Country Music Trail marker at his ranch in Nesbit, Mississippi to celebrate his contributions to country music. In May 2022, Lewis was announced as a member-elect to the Country Music Hall of Fame , to be inducted in October 2022. "This year's inductees are trailblazers who each paved their own unique path within country music," Sarah Trahern, CMA chief executive officer, said. "Jerry Lee, Keith ( Whitley ), and Joe ( Galante ) each found their musical callings early in life and displayed
8120-542: The first Pere Ubu line up joined the band for a show at The Beachland Ballroom, Cleveland. The set included a full performance of ' The Modern Dance ' album. Between March and August the group played a further 18 shows in Europe incorporating The Modern Dance in a number of them. In April, David Thomas joined fellow Rocket From the Tombs musician Cheetah Chrome for the 'Cleveland Confidential Book Tour': April 11, Cleveland Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum; and April 14, The Grammy Museum, Los Angeles. A new Rocket from
8236-522: The group delivered a double bill consisting of that year's concert set and their live underscore to a screening of Roger Corman's 'X, the Man With X-Ray Eyes . There was also a nine date Rocket from the Tombs American tour in the summer and Fall. On 19 September 2006 Pere Ubu released Why I Hate Women on Smog Veil Records. The band was Thomas, Moliné, Wheeler, Temple and Mehlan with contributions from Robert and Jack Kidney , Rodolphe Burger and Andy Diagram . Thomas had teamed up with Burger earlier in
8352-487: The group premiered its underscore to Roger Corman's X, the Man With X-Ray Eyes at the 'Celebrate Brooklyn' festival on 22 July. The winter of that year also saw a UK tour that revived the band's live underscoring of ' It Came from Outer Space' . American music producer Hal Willner also invited David Thomas to join two shows. The first took place on April 1 in Los Angeles, 'Let's Eat - Feasting on The Firesign Theatre ',
8468-625: The group toured extensively in Europe including material from the new album. From February 2010, the band continued to tour the new album in the United Kingdom under the banner 'Long Live Père Ubu! - The Spectacle'. The concert show also had its American première on 28 March in New York. The band also performed debut album The Modern Dance in its entirety, firstly, at the Cleveland Beachland Ballroom, March 5 then on March 24 at Chicago's Lincoln Hall. David Thomas once more joined
8584-608: The host. Jerry Lee Lewis: Trouble in Mind is a documentary on Lewis, released in 2022 and directed by Ethan Coen . That same year, Lewis and his cousin Jimmy Swaggart collaborated on and released a gospel album, called The Boys from Ferriday . Lewis had a minor stroke in Memphis on February 28, 2019, which forced him to cancel several appearances. Lewis died at his home three years later on October 28, 2022, in Nesbit, Mississippi, at
8700-696: The keys with his heel, kicked the piano bench aside and played standing, raking his hands up and down the keys, sat on the keyboard and stood on the piano. He told the Pop Chronicles that kicking over the bench originally happened by accident, but when it got a favorable response, he kept it in the act. His inaugural television appearance, in which he demonstrated some of these moves, was on The Steve Allen Show on July 28, 1957, where he played " Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin On ". His dynamic performance style can be seen in films such as High School Confidential (he sang
8816-507: The major hits " Great Balls of Fire ", " Breathless ", and " High School Confidential ". His rock and roll career faltered in the wake of his marriage to Myra Gale Brown , his 13-year-old first cousin once removed. His popularity quickly eroded following the scandal, and with few exceptions, such as a cover of Ray Charles 's " What'd I Say ", he did not have much chart success in the early 1960s. His live performances at this time were increasingly wild and energetic. His 1964 live album Live at
8932-519: The next original album, Song of the Bailing Man (1982), Krauss was replaced by Anton Fier . The group disbanded again soon afterwards; Krauss and Maimone formed Home and Garden, while Thomas worked on a solo career, notably with Richard Thompson and with members of Henry Cow . By the late 1980s, one of Thomas's solo projects eventually featured much of Pere Ubu. The band was reformed again in 1987, with Jim Jones and Chris Cutler joining for
9048-414: The piano during gigs and even apocryphally setting it on fire. Like Chuck Berry's guitar playing, Lewis's piano style became synonymous with rock and roll, having influenced generations of piano players. In a 2013 interview with Leah Harper, Elton John recalls that up until "Great Balls of Fire", "the piano playing that I had heard had been more sedate. My dad collected George Shearing records, but this
9164-405: The pop chart. The Session was his highest pop charting album since 1964's Golden Hits of Jerry Lee Lewis , hitting number 37. It did far better on the country albums chart, rising to number 4. Later that year, he went to Memphis and recorded Southern Roots: Back Home to Memphis , a soul-infused rock album produced by Huey Meaux. According to Rick Bragg's authorized 2014 biography, "the Killer"
9280-583: The project at Cafe Oto, London on February 12, followed by further performances at Cinéma L'Univers, Lille, France (June 4) and the Duke of York's Picture House, Brighton , England (December 2). David Thomas and The Two Pale Boys were invited once more (as in February 2001) to support the Sisters of Mercy , this time playing at the Goth band's 30th anniversary gig in their home town of Leeds, February 2011. While work started on
9396-430: The public eye, especially when he decided to re-record all his songs for the movie soundtrack. The film was based on the book by Lewis's ex-wife, Myra Gale Lewis, and starred Dennis Quaid as Lewis, Winona Ryder as Myra, and Alec Baldwin as Jimmy Swaggart. The movie focuses on Lewis's early career and his relationship with Myra and ends with the scandal of the late 1950s. A year later, in 1990, Lewis made minor news when
9512-581: The recording of Worlds in Collision , but left afterwards, joining Frank Black . In 1993, Story of My Life was released. Maimone left (once again) to join They Might Be Giants , and Michele Temple and Garo Yellin joined the band for the Story of My Life tour and feature on Ubu's 1995 album, Ray Gun Suitcase . Robert Wheeler has played synthesizer and theremin with Pere Ubu since 1994. Krauss left
9628-402: The recording setup was uncomplicated, with microphones placed as close to the instruments as possible and a stereo mic placed in the audience to capture the ambience. The results were sonically astonishing, with Bonomo observing, "Detractors complain of the album's crashing noisiness, the lack of subtlety with which Jerry Lee revisits the songs, the fact that the piano is mixed too loudly, but what
9744-490: The release in April of 18 Monkeys On A Dead Man's Chest (Smog Veil Records and Glitterhouse Records). During the spring, Fall and winter of 2005, Pere Ubu toured a show dubbed 'Live Free or Diet' as well as other concerts across America and Europe. Additionally, the band performed their live underscore to screenings of Roger Corman's 'X, the Man With X-Ray Eyes : April 9 at the Byrd Theatre, Richmond Virginia; August 12 at
9860-467: The release of The Tenement Year (1988), a far more pop-oriented album than ever before. The following year, "Waiting for Mary" (off Cloudland ) appeared on MTV briefly. After the recording of Cloudland , Ravenstine left the group (although he made a guest appearance on Worlds in Collision ) and later became an airline pilot. Eric Drew Feldman joined the band in time for the Cloudland tour and
9976-405: The same music in their youth and frequented Haney's Big House, the Ferriday club that featured black blues acts. Lewis and Swaggart had a complex relationship over the years. In 1998, Lewis toured Europe with Chuck Berry and Little Richard . On February 12, 2005, he was given a Lifetime Achievement Award by The Recording Academy . On September 26, 2006, a new album titled Last Man Standing
10092-468: The summer for four dates in France. In October, Smog Veil Records and Glitterhouse Records issued Why I Remix Women a set of band reworkings of the original tracks by Thomas, Moliné and Temple. Gagarin, an electronica instrumentalist and drummer for Nico during the 1980s, had worked for several years as live sound man for Pere Ubu as well as providing occasional on-stage contributions . His remix of 'Blue Velvet'
10208-524: The time the band formed, Herman, Krauss, and Ravenstine lived in a house owned by Ravenstine. The group's name is a reference to Ubu Roi , an avant-garde play by French writer Alfred Jarry . Pere Ubu's debut single (their first four records were singles on their own "Hearpen" label) was " 30 Seconds Over Tokyo " (inspired by the " Doolittle Raid " and named after a film depicting the raid), backed with "Heart of Darkness"; followed by "Final Solution" in 1976. One review noted that "30 Seconds" "was clearly
10324-401: The time, such as George Jones and Merle Haggard . In his book Jerry Lee Lewis: His Own Story , biographer Rick Bragg notes that the songs Lewis was recording "were of the kind they were starting to call 'hard country', not because it had a rock beat or crossed over into rock in a real way, but because it was more substantial than the cloying, overproduced mess out there on country radio". In
10440-575: The title song from the back of a flatbed truck ), and Jamboree . Cub Koda called him "rock & roll's first great wild man" and also "rock & roll's first great eclectic". Classical composer Michael Nyman has also cited Lewis's style as the progenitor of his own aesthetic. In 1960, Phillips opened a new state-of-the-art studio at 639 Madison Avenue in Memphis, abandoning the old Union Avenue studio where Phillips had recorded B.B. King , Howlin' Wolf , Elvis Presley , Roy Orbison , Carl Perkins , Lewis, Johnny Cash , and others, and also opened
10556-418: The work of a garage band , yet its arty dissonance and weird experimentalism were startlingly unique." Laughner left the group after their first two singles, and died soon afterwards of acute pancreatic failure. "Street Waves" b/w "My Dark Ages (I Don't Get Around)" was their third single, and after their fourth single, "The Modern Dance'" b/w "Heaven" (which was pressed in very small quantities and contained
10672-475: The world premiere of Bring Me The Head of Ubu Roi . This adaptation by David Thomas of Alfred Jarry 's play Ubu Roi was accompanied by animations by the Brothers Quay . The production featured David Thomas as Pere Ubu and Sarah Jane Morris as Mere Ubu with the rest of the band playing various roles. Back in 2006 musical producer Hal Willner had gathered together a host of musicians and actors for
10788-556: The year to live performance. This included his theatrical project 'Mirror Man (A Geography of Sound in Two Acts)' as well as an extensive David Thomas and Two Pale Boys European and US tour. In February, The trio were also asked to support Goth band the Sisters of Mercy at five concerts in England. Founding member Andrew Eldritch had long cited Pere Ubu and David Thomas as a key musical influence.Speaking in 2016, Eldritch said: "I remember seeing
10904-427: Was 13 years old when they married—though Lewis, who was 22 years old at the time, claimed she was actually 15. The publicity caused an uproar, and the tour was canceled after only three concerts. Lewis's Sun recording contract ended in 1963, and he joined Smash Records , where he made several rock recordings that did not further his career. The team at Smash (a division of Mercury Records ) came up with "I'm on Fire",
11020-434: Was a specially recorded performance featuring a whole array of artists paying tribute to the music of Lewis. In March 2020, it was announced that Lewis, together with producer T-Bone Burnett and guitarist James Burton , was recording a new album of gospel covers. It was the first time he entered a recording studio following his stroke. As of 2023 , it is unknown how much progress was made with this gospel album, or if it
11136-582: Was backed by Ritchie Blackmore and the Outlaws . None of Lewis's early Smash albums, including The Return of Rock , Memphis Beat , and Soul My Way , were commercial successes. One major success during these lost years was the concert album Live at the Star Club, Hamburg , recorded with the Nashville Teens in 1964, which is considered one of the greatest live albums ever. In Joe Bonomo 's book Lost and Found , producer Siggi Loch stated that
11252-417: Was billed as "Jerry Lee Lewis And His Pumping Piano") advanced his career as a soloist during 1957, with hits such as " Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On ", a Big Maybelle cover, and " Great Balls of Fire ", his biggest hit, bringing him international fame and criticism of the songs, which prompted some radio stations to boycott them. In 2005, "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" was selected for permanent preservation in
11368-633: Was described as " rock 'n' roll 's first great wild man". A pioneer of rock and roll and rockabilly music, Lewis made his first recordings in 1952 at Cosimo Matassa 's J&M Studio in New Orleans , Louisiana, and early recordings in 1956 at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee . " Crazy Arms " sold 300,000 copies in the Southern United States, but it was his 1957 hit " Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On " that shot Lewis to worldwide fame. He followed this with
11484-543: Was ever completed, as nothing from these sessions has been released; Lewis later recorded another gospel album with cousin Jimmy Swaggart that was unrelated to the 2020 project with Burnett and Burton. On October 27, 2020, to celebrate Lewis's 85th birthday, a livestream aired on YouTube, Facebook, and his official website. The livestream special, Whole Lotta Celebratin' Goin' On , featured appearances and performances by Willie Nelson , Elton John , Mike Love , Priscilla Presley , Joe Walsh , and others. John Stamos served as
11600-514: Was final. They had two children: Jerry Lee Lewis Jr. (1954–1973) and Ronnie Guy Lewis (b. 1956). After four years, he filed for divorce in October 1957. Jerry Lee Lewis Jr. died in 1973, at the age of 19, when the Jeep he was driving overturned. His third marriage was to 13-year-old Myra Gale Brown , his first cousin once removed, on December 12, 1957. His divorce from Jane Mitcham was not finalized before
11716-737: Was in Florida, but producer and engineer Jack Clement recorded Lewis's rendition of Ray Price 's " Crazy Arms " and his own composition " End of the Road ". In December 1956, Lewis began recording prolifically as a solo artist and as a session musician for other Sun artists, including Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash . His distinctive piano playing can be heard on many tracks recorded at Sun in late 1956 and early 1957, including Carl Perkins's " Matchbox ", " Your True Love ", and "Put Your Cat Clothes On" and Billy Lee Riley 's "Flyin' Saucers Rock'n'Roll". On December 4, 1956, Elvis Presley dropped in on Phillips to pay
11832-464: Was in a foul mood when he showed up at Trans Maximus Studios in Memphis to record: "During these sessions, he insulted the producer, threatened to kill a photographer, and drank and medicated his way into but not out of a fog." During one exchange that can be heard on the 2013 reissue Southern Roots: The Original Sessions , Meaux asks Lewis, "Do you wanna try one?", meaning a take, to which Lewis replies, "If you got enough fuckin' sense to cut it." Lewis
11948-597: Was included on the album. In the spring of 2007, Pere Ubu hit the road once more, with six dates in America, 20 in Europe and followed in the Fall with four shows in the US and Canada. Work also started in 2007 on adapting, for performance, Alfred Jarry 's ' Ubu Roi ', the play that had inspired the band's name. In December 2007, the download site Hearpen.com was launched providing live recordings and hard-to-source material by Pere Ubu and related acts. During February and March 2008 Pere Ubu toured Europe and America. This included two live underscorings of Roger Corman's 'X,
12064-856: Was inducted into the inaugural class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986, and his pioneering contribution to the genre was recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame . He was also a member of the inaugural class inducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame . He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2022. In 1989, his life was chronicled in the movie Great Balls of Fire , starring Dennis Quaid . In 2003, Rolling Stone listed his box set All Killer, No Filler: The Anthology at number 242 on their list of " 500 Greatest Albums of All Time ". In 2004, they ranked him No. 24 on their list of
12180-599: Was issued as a single and soared to number 2 on the country chart, following Lewis's recent Mercury hit "She Even Woke Me Up To Say Goodbye". Singleton would milk these unreleased recordings for years, following The Golden Cream of the Country with A Taste of Country later in 1970. Lewis played the Grand Ole Opry only once, on January 20, 1973. As Colin Escott writes in the liner notes to A Half Century of Hits , he had maintained an ambivalence to Music City ever since he
12296-619: Was present to accept the American Music Masters Award and closed his own tribute show with a rendition of " Over the Rainbow ". On February 10, 2008, he appeared with John Fogerty and Little Richard on the 50th Grammy Awards , performing "Great Balls of Fire" in a medley with " Good Golly Miss Molly ". On June 4, 2008, Lewis was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame and appeared on A Capitol Fourth and performed
12412-519: Was proven. His sixth marriage, to Kerrie McCarver, lasted 21 years, from April 1984 to June 2005. They had one child: Jerry Lee Lewis III (b. 1987). In 1993, Lewis moved to Ireland with his family in what was suggested (but denied) to be a move to avoid issues with the Internal Revenue Service . He lived in a rented house on Westminster Road in Foxrock , Dublin , and during his time there
12528-449: Was released as a single on March 9, 1968, and, to everyone's amazement, shot up the country charts. At the time of the release, Lewis had been playing Iago in a rock and roll adaptation of Othello called Catch My Soul in Los Angeles but was soon rushed back to Nashville to record another batch of songs with producer Jerry Kennedy . What followed was a string of hits that no one could have predicted, although country music always remained
12644-524: Was released, featuring many of rock and roll's elite as guest stars. Receiving positive reviews, the album charted on four different Billboard charts, including a two-week stay at number one on the Indie charts. A DVD entitled Last Man Standing Live , featuring concert footage with many guest artists, was released in March 2007. In October 2008, as part of a successful European tour, Lewis appeared at two London shows:
12760-422: Was responsible for beginning an unplanned jam at the end of the evening, which was incorporated into all future events. That year, he returned to Sun Studio in Memphis to team up with Orbison, Cash, and Perkins along with longtime admirers like John Fogerty to create the album Class of '55 . In 1989, a major motion picture based on his early life in rock and roll, Great Balls of Fire! , brought him back into
12876-427: Was sparse, quite different from the slick " Nashville sound " that was predominant on country radio at the time, and also expressed a full commitment by Lewis to a country audience. The songs still featured Lewis's inimitable piano flourishes, but critics were most taken aback by the rock and roll pioneer's effortlessly soulful vocals, which possessed an emotional resonance on par with the most respected country singers of
12992-489: Was still pumping out country albums, although the hits were beginning to dry up. His last big hit with Mercury was "Middle Age Crazy", which made it to number 4 in 1977. In 1979, Lewis switched record labels to Elektra and produced the critically acclaimed Jerry Lee Lewis , although sales were disappointing. In 1986, Lewis was one of the inaugural inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame . Although looking frail after several hospitalizations due to stomach problems, Lewis
13108-469: Was the first time I heard someone beat the shit out of a piano. When I saw Little Richard at the Harrow Granada, he played it standing up, but Jerry Lee Lewis actually jumped on the piano! This was astonishing to me, that people could do that. Those records had such a huge effect on me, and they were just so great. I learned to play like that." Lewis was primarily known for his " boogie-woogie " style, which
13224-670: Was to Jaren Elizabeth Gunn Pate, from October 1971 to June 8, 1982. Pate drowned in a swimming pool at the home of a friend with whom she was staying, several weeks before divorce proceedings could be finalized. They had one daughter, Lori Lee Lewis (b. 1972). Mary Kathy "K.K." Jones of San Antonio, Texas , testified in court during Lewis's income tax evasion trial in 1984 that she lived with him from 1980 to 1983. Lewis's fifth marriage, to Shawn Stephens, lasted 77 days, from June to August 1983, ending with her death from an overdose of methadone . Journalist Richard Ben Cramer alleged that Lewis abused and may have killed her, neither of which
13340-539: Was to record a retread of his Sun hits, Golden Hits of Jerry Lee Lewis , which was inspired by the continuing enthusiasm European fans had shown for Lewis's firebrand rock and roll. In June 1963, Lewis returned to the UK for the first time since the scandal that nearly ended his career five years earlier, to headline a performance on the MV Royal Daffodil , for a cross-channel rock and roll cruise from Southend, Essex , to Boulogne, France . For this performance, he
13456-641: Was turned away as an aspiring musician before his glory days at Sun Records : "It was 18 years since he had left Nashville broke and disheartened...Lewis was never truly accepted in Nashville. He didn't move there and didn't schmooze there. He didn't fit in with the family values crowd. Lewis family values weren't necessarily worse, but they were different." As recounted in a 2015 online Rolling Stone article by Beville Dunkerly, Lewis opened with his comeback single " Another Place, Another Time ". Ignoring his allotted time constraints—and, thus, commercial breaks—Lewis played for 40 minutes (the average Opry performance
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