FALSE ALARM
Jerry Lee Lewis alive in Memphis after rock ‘n’ roll icon was said to have died at age 87
GREAT Balls of Fire singer Jerry Lee Lewis is alive after it was previously reported that he had died.
TMZ at his home in Memphis, Tennessee before issuing a statement that he is still alive.
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“Earlier today we were told by someone claiming to be Lewis' rep that he had passed,” said TMZ. “That turned out not to be the case.
“TMZ regrets the error.”
Zach Farnum, a publicist for Jerry Lee, told The U.S. Sun: “He’s alive. TMZ reported erroneously off an anonymous tip.”
When asked if Jerry was aware that his death was wrongly reported, he sighed: “I think so.”
He declined to comment on the state of Jerry's health at the moment but expressed that his team were not happy about the error.
Jerry Lee was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame earlier this month, however, he was unable to attend due to being sick with the flu.
“His longtime dear friend Kris Kristofferson accepted in his honor from Hank Williams Jr and Kris and his wife Lisa were nice enough to drive down to Memphis and present it to Jerry Lee in person,” read a post from Jerry Lee's official .
His sister, Linda Gail Lewis, said on Facebook on Tuesday: “Please pray for my dear brother, he’s going thru a hard time and needs our prayers and positive thoughts right now. Thank you so much.”
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Jerry Lee apologized for not being able to attend the show.
“It is with heartfelt sadness and disappointment that I write to you today from my sick bed, rather than be able to share my thoughts in person," he said.
“I tried everything I could to build up the strength to come today - I've looked so forward to it since I found out about it earlier this year.
"My sincerest apologies to all of you for missing this fine event, but I hope to see you all soon.”
ROCK 'N' ROLL ICON
Considered one of the first true rock 'n’ roll musicians, Jerry Lee rose to fame with his first big hit, Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On, in 1957.
He earned the nickname “The Killer” for his ability to knock out audiences and even lit his piano on fire to close out a show.
Born in Ferriday, Louisiana, Jerry Lee taught himself to play piano at age nine.
His father mortgaged the family farm to buy Jerry Lee his first piano a year later and when he was 14, he had his first public performance at a local car dealership.
Jerry Lee quit school to focus on music and signed with Sun Studios in 1956 in Memphis. He was known to play with Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash before releasing his first single.
His second single was Great Balls of Fire, which was released in December 1957 and became a staple in pop culture.
He was portrayed by actor Dennis Quaid in the film Great Balls of Fire about his life.
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In 1986, Jerry Lewis was inducted into the first class of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, honoring his long career.
He is still performing well into his 80s and even opened the Jerry Lee Lewis Cafe & Honky Tonk in 2013.
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