The life and career of wildly controversial rock 'n' roll star Jerry Lee Lewis.
A semi-fictionalized account of the early career of Jerry Lee Lewis is presented. The year is 1956, and he, as the front man, is trying to break into the business in a combo with among others his cousin, J.W. Brown, playing his rollicking version of the music he has always been interested in: what he heard emanating from the black honky-tonks of the south. Success and what goes along with it - fame and money - are arguably foremost on his mind. Against the many odds, he is able to gain that success, the odds including the Christian moral majority largely denouncing his type of music - hard driving rock 'n' roll - as that of the devil and thus anti-Christian, with one of his most vocal opponents with regard to his music being another cousin, sidewalk evangelist Jimmy Swaggart. He may derail his own success in his reckless behavior, especially falling prey to his urges with adoring young female fans, the most scandalous relationship being with J.W. and his wife Lois' thirteen year old daughter, Myra Gale Brown, who would go on imminently to become Myra Lewis, aka Mrs. Jerry Lee Lewis, and who in part was looking for a protector in her fear during this nuclear age.—Huggo
The story of Jerry Lee Lewis, arguably the greatest and certainly one of the wildest musicians of the 1950s. His arrogance, remarkable talent, and unconventional lifestyle often brought him into conflict with others in the industry, and even earned him the scorn and condemnation of the public. In 1956, Louisiana bad boy Jerry Lee Lewis moves to Memphis, determined to dethrone Elvis Presley with his ferocious, God-given talent. When Jerry Lee bangs out the chorus with his feet, huge fans howl out for more. When he finishes his performance by setting his piano ablaze, they mob the stage. But when he marries his 13-year-old cousin Myra Gale Brown...the scandal nearly destroys the Killer's career.—Murray Chapman <[email protected]>
Sneaking with his cousin Jimmy Swaggart to check out the dancing people at the Chocolate Bar, Jerry Lee Lewis, for the first time hears the piano, playing in a style he soon learns to play. Now living with his cousin J.W. Brown, he meets 13-year-old Myra Gale Brown and they soon fall for each other. Now Jerry Lee is a rock star and decides to marry Myra, much to the anger and chagrin of her parents, which started his downfall. However, Jimmy's struggling career as a preacher (now-televangelist) keeps him in constant conflict with Jerry Lee's wild rock and roll career. The question is will Jerry Lee succeed, or will his young wife and his stubborn pride keep him from being the Killer himself?—wishingsparklingstar
Jerry Lee Lewis (Dennis Quaid) plays piano, as opposed to a guitar like most other rock artists, during rock and roll's early years from 1956 to 1958. He is a man with many different sides: a skilled performer with little discipline, and an alcoholic. As Jerry Lee rises to the top of the charts with hits such as "Crazy Arms", "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On", and "Great Balls of Fire", he falls in love with Myra Gale Brown (Winona Ryder), the 13-year-old daughter of his first cousin and bass player J.W. Brown (John Doe), and eventually marries her (eloping in Mississippi), much to the anger and chagrin of her parents.
Jerry Lee's other relationship is that with second cousin and televangelist Jimmy Swagger (Alec Baldwin) who, during this period, was a struggling Pentecostal preacher. Jimmy's career kept him in constant conflict with his cousin's wild rock and roll career and brings out some uncomfortable exchanges between the two. The now-financially successful Jerry Lee buys a new automobile and gives it to his cousin, and when praises the Lord for the gift, Jerry Lee replies "Don't thank Jesus, thank Jerry Lee Lewis!"
While Jerry Lee is touring in England in 1958, a reporter discovers he is married to the underage Myra Gale. He is then condemned as a child molester and a pervert by the public before being booed and ridiculed off stage at his opening concert; as a result, the tour is cancelled and Jerry Lee is deported. Confident that his career will remain a success, Jerry Lee is undaunted; however, the scandal follows him back to the United States.
Jerry Lee then begins drinking heavily when record sales and concert attendances are significantly down. He becomes further furious when requested to print a public apology in Billboard and becomes increasingly abusive towards Myra. It is during one of these episodes that Myra informs Jerry Lee that she is pregnant, and he collapses into Myra's arms, crying hysterically.
In a last-ditch effort to improve his life, Jerry Lee, with Myra in tow, attends one of Swaggert's church services. During the altar call, Jimmy offers Jerry Lee one more chance to become saved and get right with God, but Jerry Lee again refuses, declaring "If I'm going to Hell, I'm going there playing the piano!" The caption preceding the closing credits reads, "Jerry Lee Lewis is playing his heart out somewhere in America tonight."
