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Book Reviews of Hellfire: The Jerry Lee Lewis Story

Hellfire The Jerry Lee Lewis Story
Author: Nick Tosches
ISBN: 383547
Publication Date: 1982
Pages: 276
Rating:
  • Currently 3/5 Stars.
 1

3 stars, based on 1 rating
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Book Type: Hardcover
Reviews: Write a Review

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beachnbooks avatar reviewed Hellfire: The Jerry Lee Lewis Story on + 73 more book reviews
I'm sure this book drove the 1989 film "Great Balls of Fire" which starred Dennis Quaid as the Killer, Winona Ryder as his child bride, and Alex Baldwin as his man of the ministry cousin, Jimmy Lee Swaggart. A show lineup in those days had the headliner closing the show and Jerry Lee was very upset Chuck Berry was considered "the closer" for New York show promoted by the great DJ Alan Freed, so the scene where Jerry Lee sets the piano on fire, finishes the song and walks off the stage quipping to Chuck "follow that ...." is a classic. This is the story of Jerry Lee Lewis, arguably the greatest piano playing rock and roller and certainly one of the wildest musicians of the 1950s. His self confidence (arrogance), remarkable talent, and unconventional lifestyle often brought him into conflict with others in the industry, and even earned him the scorn and condemnation of the public. I enjoyed the book and I enjoyed the film in which Quaid captured Jerry Lee perfectly if you are interested in that era or can remember a show by the Killer.