September 22, 2006
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Thunder in his hands.....
Came here by way of YouTube after watching a video of “Last Man Standing.” (Thanks, Kaz!) Observations on that experience follow:
(1) Of all the people I wouldn’t wanna live next door to, Jerry Lee Lewis is definitely in the top ten.
(2) But that’s okay. He probably wouldn’t wanna live next door to me, either.
(3) Besides, he more than makes up for his annoying personality every time he gets near a piano.
(4) I would link you to the video, but I dunno how. Ask Ed.
(5) There’s something quite magic about whut the love of entertaining does for people who’ve grown old doing it. Watching Jerry Lee, who must be in his 70s I guess, brings back a memory of a truly awesome experience I had in Nashville.
True Story: About a hundred years ago, thanks to Grandpa Jones -- who was one helluva nice guy and the spokesperson for one of my ad biz clients -- I spent an evening backstage at The Grand Ole Opry.
Roy Acuff, Minnie Pearl, Little Jimmie Dickens, Jeannie Shepherd, and Grandpa himself -- they were ALL so old they could barely get from their dressing rooms to the stage. But when their respective turns came to perform, they each dropped at least thirty years and left ‘em behind in a heap on the floor behind the curtain.
I do not lie -- all at once there was a spring in their steps and energy oozing from every pore!
And their fans went wild.
And then, after leaving the stage, just as quickly as each of them had become young, vibrant, and energetic, they were old again, moving slowly down the hall in their paper-thin skins and looking every bit as ancient as Methusela.
I’m pretty sure I won’t ever see anything quite like that again. But, as sure as my name is Fifi, I know I saw magic that night in the truest sense of the word.(6) I hereby dedicate this page to the “Itis” boys -- Arthur, Burse & Tendon -- for staying the hell away from Jerry Lee's talent.
Comments (15)
Love your story! If you want to imbed it in your post, if you look to the right of the video at you tube there is an imbed option, just copy it, go to your edit feature for the post, in the top right hand corner there is a tiny little box that had edit html next to it, check it, go to where you want it in your post, paste what you copied at you tube and click the submit change thingy... pretty easy...I can do it!
Jerry Lee would be an ok neighbor, as long as there are no teenaged girls in the house.
I'm not entirely sure I'd want Jerry Lee living next door to me, I don't think he'd enjoy my extreme gardening in the dark.
Another great one that was a bit before Grandpa Jones was Uncle Dave Macon--could play the old Appalachian style clawhammer banjo like a madman. Horrible voice. old as the hills, and just great. I know him well because I played Appalachian clawhammer for a while--forgot it all--still got the banjo--maybe one-a these days.
How I envy you being back stage at the opry--you got to see history. Closest I got was the New Christy Minstrels when they first got a start, and I operated the curtain as a 17 year-old. All I can remember is being starry-eyed at these tall beautiful women that seemed like all legs!
RYC: Thanks for the laugh--from the oratory of JFK to a president who says "nook-yoo-lar."
I am sure you knew that Elvis, Jerry Lee, and Jimmy Swaggert are/were all related. I was paying a bit of attention to my Louisiana history.
I love to watch Jerry Lee play the piano.
Hugs, Tricia
I'd have preferred JLL to some of the neighbors I've had.
RYC: I passed the first 4 seasons of GG on to Teme who then sent them on to Sharlie, so of course they're gone now, but if you ever get through the first 4 (and if you start you will) I have Season 5 and 6....which of course I'll send to Teme first because she's tearing out her kitchen (typed hair first!) this month. I'm sure she can pass them right on to you. (They're on sale at Target, maybe even cheaper on eBay or Amazon.) (I feel like a pusher, I've just had such great escapes with them, who'd have thought?)
I loved your story of the country music old timers. I always loved Grandpa Jones, but I'm not sure why. Being a pure bred Mississippi boy, Hee-Haw was a staple in our home, thus Grandpa Jones. As for Jerry Lee, I thought he got a bum rap for marrying the young girl -- times were different then, you know? But I'm sure I'm in the minority. He is supposedly playing at a somewhat sleazy music store about two blocks from my house in the near future, or so says the marquee. Is he really reduced to such ignominy?
Judging by that shot, his lumbago is acting up.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=as5DT7-gO_w
JerRY
JerRY
ps
Awesome story Feef.
You is one good observationalist.
You are a sweetie. Thanks for such a sweet comment... I hope (and actually believe) that you are entirely correct.
Season 3 premier. LOST. (I have no life.)
We spent our honeymoon in TN almost 33 years ago..went to the Grand Ole Opry, it was right before they moved to the new one. I remember Minnie Pearl and String Bean and Grandpa Jones and Roy Acuff were on stage. Also Barbara Mandrel and who else? Ack..been too long to remember!
Yeah, the Killer is okay. I especially like the compilation, "The Golden Rock & Roll Hits of Jerry Lee Lewis", which was released for the Smash label in 1969 or so. His piano playing on that album is some of his best. It's far from erratic, and he's really showing off his chops.
Now, back in June of 1986, Jerry Lee, along with the great Ray Charles joined Fats Domino on stage at the Storyville Jazz Hall in New Orleans. Now that, was something to behold. I was only three when that took place, but I've got the video. Fats on the Yamaha grand piano, Brother Ray on his Fender Rhodes, and the Killer at the Yamaha electric grand. Along with a great backup band put together by Paul Shaffer. Truly awesome stuff.
So, how is that new Jerry Lee album? I work at a music store, and put some out on the shelves yesterday for the masses!
Steven
Winston may not be Booker, Mac and Fess, but he sure does a hell of a job w. NOLA piano. His version of "The Saints" and "Creole Moon" are spectacular, and so is his original, "Blues for Fess, Beloved". Not a bad record at all!
Steven
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