Jerry Lee Lewis
Written and Produced by Jason Goodman
I wasn’t originally assigned to Jerry Lee Lewis – Behind The Music. But the first attempt at an interview hadn’t gone well, so VH1 asked me to go down to Memphis and see if I could get a little more out of him.
At first it was tough enough just to understand him – his accent is as thick as gumbo. But once I got him telling stories, it got interesting – and sometimes – like the long story about how his 5th wife died of a methadone overdose right in front of him – even to the point of incriminating. But that’s Jerry Lee… no one ever accused him of always acting in his own best interest.
Click here to watch my favorite act. Click here to watch the whole show
Behind The Music: Jerry Lee Lewis • Written and Produced by Jason Goodman
Jerry Lee Lewis is a true rock ‘n roll pioneer, but that fact is often overshadowed by the trouble he got into – notably his 1958 marriage to 13-year-old Myra Gale Brown, who was also Jerry Lee’s first cousin. It’s a story that’s part of the original rock ‘n roll folklore – but while many people know that basic fact – they’re too young to know the story Behind The Music. And I do love a good juicy story.
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Behind The Music: Jerry Lee Lewis • Written and Produced by Jason Goodman
Jerry Lee’s Behind The Music had to focus on all the scandals and accidents and tragedies. But as I was working on the show, I remember constantly be struck by the magnitude of his talent. When you see the performances early in this film, particularly the show in London after his marriage to Maya had been revealed – his anarchic artistry is staggering. From the percussive force of his piano playing to the carnal howl of his vocals, Jerry Lee Lewis was one of the original creators of rock – and deserves deep respect for that. I’d like to think this show gave it to him.
