Jerry Lee Lewis dead: ‘Great Balls Of Fire’ Singer dies at 87, agent confirms

express.co.uk:

The rock n roll pioneer known as “The Killer” was best known for singing the famous track Great Balls of Fire.The star’s publicist has now confirmed the news of the singer’s death.

Publicist Zach Farnum said: "Lewis, perhaps the last true, great icon of the birth of rock 'n' roll, whose marriage of blues, gospel, country, honky-tonk and raw, pounding stage performances so threatened a young Elvis Presley that it made him cry, has died."He was there at the beginning, with Elvis, Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Carl Perkins, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly, and the rest, and watched them fade away one by one till it was him alone to bear witness, and sing of the birth of rock 'n' roll."Jerry’s seventh wife Judith was by his side when he died at his home in Mississippi.The star’s other hits include Shakin’ and High School Confidential.He is survived by his wife, Judith Coghlan Lewis, his children Jerry Lee Lewis III, Ronnie Lewis, Phoebe Lewis and Lori Lancaster, sister Linda Gail Lewis, cousin Jimmy Swaggart and many grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Jerry was one of the first musicians inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame back in 1986. He was also the subject of the 1989 film Great Balls of Fire, where Hollywood actor Dennis Quaid portrayed him.

On Wednesday, US publication TMZ falsely reported that the musician had died at his home in Memphis, Tennessee. The outlet stated it regretted its error and said: “Today we were told by someone claiming to be Lewis' rep that he had passed.That turned out not to be the case.”The proper representative of Mr Lewis confirmed to Page Six that the singer was alive at that time.