On October 28, 2022, Jerry Lee Lewis died aged 87. He was musician (piano), singer and songwriter, nicknamed “the Killer”, He was a pioneer of rock and roll and rockabilly music, described as “Rock and roll’s first great wild man and one of the most influential pianists of the 20th century. Lewis won four “Grammy Awards”, including a “Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award” and two “Grammy Hall of Fame Awards”. He was inducted into the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame”, the “Rockabilly Hall of Fame”, “Memphis Music Hall of Fame” and “Country Music Hall of Fame”. In 2003, “Rolling Stone” magazine ranked his box set “All Killer, No Filler: The Anthology”, at number 242 on its list of the “500 Greatest Albums of All Time”, in 2004, the same magazine ranked him at number 24 of its list of the “100 Greatest Artists of All Time”. A movie about his life, “Great Balls of Fire”, was released in 1989, starring Dennis Quaid. As leader, Lewis released 40 studio and 8 live albums.
Tag Archives: Rockabilly Hall of Fame
Lonnie Mack
On April 21, 2016, Lonnie McIntosh aka Lonnie Mack, died aged 74. He was singer – songwriter and musician (guitar), regarded as pioneer of blues-rock music, rock guitar melodic soloing and a blue-eyed soul singer. He recorded eleven studio and two live albums, and has recorded with many famous musicians such as James Brown, Freddie King, Dobie Gray, Ronnie Hawkins, Wayne Perkins, Jack Holland, Albert Washington, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and bands such as The Doors, The Sluggers, The Crudup Brothers and The Charmaines. For his work, Lonnie Mack received many recognitions and awards including “International Guitar Hall of Fame induction” (2001), “Southeastern Indiana Musician’s Association Hall of Fame” induction (2001), “Rockabilly Hall of Fame” induction (2005), “The Southern Legends Entertainment & Performing Arts Hall of Fame” induction (2006). Magazine “Guitar World” ranked his album “The Wham of that Memphis Man” as the most significant “landmark” in the history of rock guitar.
Gene Vincent
On October 12, 1971, Vincent Eugene Craddock aka Gene Vincent died aged 35. Being singer and guitarist, he was one of the rockabilly and rock and roll pioneers. His 1956 song “Be-Bop-A-Lula” (together with his band Blue Caps) is considered to be one of the first rockabilly hits. Vincent was inducted both the “Rock and Roll Hall of Fame” and the “Rockabilly Hall of Fame”.