Cousins Jerry Lee Lewis, Mickey Gilley and Jimmy Swaggart Reunite After 40 Years
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (October 28, 2020) – Last night the biggest names in music, movies, sports, television and politics came together to celebrate the birthday of one of the founding fathers of Rock n’ Roll Jerry Lee Lewis. Whole Lotta Celebratin’ Goin’ On: 85 Years of The Killer, hosted by actor John Stamos, also featured a special moment, the first time in nearly forty years that Lewis has been in the same room with his famous cousins, country legend Mickey Gilley and iconic televangelist Jimmy Swaggart.
With a healthy mix of well-wishes and performances of Jerry Lee’s hits, the night was all about The Killer. Elton John, Keith Richards, Kris Kristofferson and Ringo Starr were among the many to offer their birthday greetings. Notable performances included Chris Janson singing “Wild One”, Linda Gail Lewis singing “Boogie Woogie Country Man,” Willie Nelson singing “You Win Again,” Andy Grammar singing “Great Balls Of Fire,” and John Fogerty singing “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.” The famous cousins even contributed their voices as well with Mickey Gilley performing his hit “Don’t The Girls All Get Prettier” and Jimmy Swaggart giving his rendition of “Amazing Grace.” Rising country artist Jacob Tolliver performed an astounding “Rockin’ My Life Away.”
The evening was dedicated to the memory of Jerry Lee Lewis’ late friend and confidant, Steve Bing, and celebrated him with a montage of clips from the “Last Man Standing” television special.
The full list of celebrities that celebrated “The Killer” include: Andy Grammer, President Bill Clinton, Billy F Gibbons, Bonnie Raitt, Brenda Lee, Chris Isaak, Chris Janson, Drew Carey, Elton John, Freda Payne, Gavin DeGraw, Jacob Tolliver, James Burton, Jerry Kennedy, Jerry Phillips, Jimmy Swaggart, Joe Walsh, John Fogerty, Keith Richards, Kris Kristofferson, Lee Ann Womack, Linda Gail Lewis, Lindsay Ell, Marty Stuart, Mickey Gilley, The Beach Boy’s Mike Love, Nancy Wilson, Peyton Manning, Priscilla Presley, Ringo Starr, Ronnie Wood, the voice of Scooby Doo, Scott Innes, Tanya Tucker, Tom Jones, Waylon Payne, Willie Nelson and Wink Martindale along with appearances from Jerry Lee Lewis’ road band, Kenny Lovelace, Ray Gann and Kenny Aronoff.
Whole Lotta Celebratin’ Goin’ On: 85 Years of The Killer raised funds for World Vision, a Christian organization working to help communities lift themselves out of poverty. For good. The event was produced and directed by Zach Farnum / 117 Entertainment in association with Jeff Franklin and Tisha Fein.
About Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis is one of the all-time best singer-songwriters, musicians and pianists. He was born in 1935 to Mamie and Elmo Lewis of Ferriday, Louisiana. In November of ‘56 Jerry Lee made his way to Memphis, Tennessee where he would join Sun Records and launch hit records with “Crazy Arms,” “Whole Lotta Shakin,’”, and “Great Balls of Fire.” Jerry Lee, along with his friends Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley and Carl Perkins would become known as the Million Dollar Quartet and there is not any part of music that their influences haven’t touched. As a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s very first class of inductees, “The Killer” holds numerous awards including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award and countless other honors. He is truly rock n’ roll’s first great wildman, and shows no signs of stopping, touring around the globe and recording new music still today. Visit www.jerryleelewis.com to follow “The Killer.”
