JERRY LEE LEWIS BOOKS

This is a list & description of books about or related
to Jerry Lee Lewis:

KILLER.
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Writers:Jerry Lee Lewis,Charles White.

Jerry Lee's own autobiography.Jerry is honest &
informative about his career.Also contains an excellent
discography of all of Jerry Lee's songs - released &
unreleased.

HELLFIRE.
---------
Writer:Nick Tosches.

Great biography on Jerry Lee.However,it does go into too
much detail about the Jerry Lee Lewis myths - most of
which were untrue - and neglects musical details.

GREAT BALLS OF FIRE.
--------------------
Writer:Myra Gail Lewis,Murray Silver.

Great & musically informative biography on Jerry Lee by
Jerry Lee's ex-wife.This book was made into a film in
1989 (that JLL did an excellent soundtrack for).Apart
from the soundtrack,the film had little to offer.
Jerry Lee on the film:"I thought it was bad!It wasn't
right.It wasn't Jerry Lee Lewis".

ROCKING MY LIFE AWAY.
---------------------
Writer:Jimmy Gutterman.

The only book available that deals with Jerry Lee's
music from 1954 to 1990 in Depth,as well as some of his
influences.The book is named after one of Jerry Lee's
most popular later records.Overall,very informative &
a good guide to Lewis' music.

JERRY LEE LEWIS:THE KILLER/MERCURY YEARS VOLS. 1,2 & 3.
--------------------------------------------------------
Writer:Colin Escott.

Great books about Lewis' years at Mercury from 1963 to
1978,written by one of the greatest music critics.

GOOD ROCKIN' TONIGHT.
---------------------
Writer:Colin Escott.

Also by Colin Escott,this is the definitive reference to
the history of Sun records.There is a whole chapter about
Jerry Lee that is very informative.The title of the book
is an old jump blues standard,made famous by both its
composer,Roy Brown, & Wynonie Harris.Jerry Lee cut great
versions of the song at Sun.
Other artists featured in the book include Carl Perkins,
Johnny Cash,Malcolm Yelvington,Charlie Rich & Billy Lee
Riley.

COUNTRY.
--------
Writer:Nick Tosches.

An excellent history of country & blues music & its
various fusions from the 1920s to the 1980s.Artists
such as Jerry Lee,Moon Mullican,Hank Williams,Carl
Perkins & Jimmie Rodgers are discussed in detail.

MYSTERY TRAIN.
--------------
Writer:Greil Marcus.

This was the first ever book to publish the 1957 famed
religious argument about "Great balls of fire" between
Jerry Lee,Billy Lee Riley & Sam Phillips.
The book jumps back & forth between general Sun artists
histories & articles about other performers such as
Randy Newman.
There could have been more details about Jerry Lee in
this book than there were,it has to be said.The book is
named after a Junior Parker R&B hit (on Sun).Jerry Lee
did "Mystery train" live in 1969.

(Linda Gail Lewis' book will be along soon - when I read it,I will
update the site with my views on it).

Patrick Wall,
December 1997/February 1999.

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