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Did Jerry Lewis set a piano on fire?
In one interview with Lewis, who was in his 70s at the time, the singer told Heath that he did indeed burn the piano. He also said that he often denied it over the years because it's "what people want to hear."
Was Jerry Lee Lewis a good piano player?
JERRY LEE LEWIS (1935-) He played the piano like nobody else. There were Western swing pianists before him, such as Moon Mullican and Merrill Moore, but the way Jerry Lee played across the beat was unique. He had an aggressive, couldn't-care-less attitude, which must have been very controversial at the time.
What did Jerry Lee Lewis think of the movie Great Balls of Fire?
Most of "Great Balls of Fire" was filmed here in Memphis. As it turns out, Lewis is pleased at the way the movie was made, admitting: "Dennis Quaid did a pretty good job of playing me; he did the best that he could do."
How old was Dennis Quaid and Winona Ryder in Great Balls of Fire?
It's not great for a 21-year-old to be macking on a 12-year-old, but the fact that the film casts Dennis Quaid, then 35 but looking raddled thanks to a bad peroxide job, opposite Winona Ryder, then 18 but looking much younger, makes it seem even worse.
What is Jerry Lee Lewis most famous song?
1. "Great Balls of Fire" Lewis took this Otis Blackwell and Jack Hammer tune and put his wicked twist on it. 'Great Balls of Fire' became Lewis's biggest hit and his signature song.
Did Jerry Lee Lewis take piano lessons?
Lewis warmed when he spoke about growing up in Ferriday, La., and hearing the music that he would meld into rock 'n' roll. He took a few piano lessons. But he got his education by sneaking into Haney's Big House, a club owned by his uncle, Lee Calhoun.
Did Dennis Quaid learn to play piano for Great Balls of Fire?
Dennis Quaid did some of his own piano playing. Pianist and singer Jason D. Williams, often compared to Jerry Lee Lewis in looks and musical performance, also served as Quaid's piano double. The filmmakers used Williams' hands for the piano parts in the film.
Was there a rivalry between Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis?
Back in the mid-1950s, there was something of a friendly rivalry between the various top-tier Sun records artists, from Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins to Johnny Cash and "The King of Rock and Roll" himself, Elvis Presley.
Is Great Balls of Fire a true story?
Great Balls of Fire! is a 1989 American biographical drama film directed by Jim McBride and starring Dennis Quaid as rockabilly pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis. Based on a biography by Myra Lewis and Murray M. Silver Jr., the screenplay is written by McBride and Jack Baran.
How long were Jerry Lee Lewis and Myra married?
After thirteen years of marriage, they were divorced in 1970, when Myra charged that she “has been subject to every type of physical and mental abuse imaginable”; Jerry Lee later said that “it was all my fault—she caught me cheating.” When we met, she described their relationship as a “successful divorce,” though more ...
Did Elvis Presley sing Great Balls of Fire?
Great Balls Of Fire (Made Famous by Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins & Jerry Lee Lewis) - song and lyrics by Million Dollar Quartet | Spotify.
Did Jerry Lee Lewis marry his cousin?
Lewis is no stranger to unconventional paths to romance. The singer infamously married his cousin, Myra Gale Brown – Rusty's sister – when he was 23 and she was only 13-years-old back in 1958. This marriage, a tabloid sensation at the time, tarnished Lewis' reputation and did some damage to his career.
What was Jerry Lee Lewis instrument of choice?
Jerry Lee LewisBornSeptember 29, 1935 Ferriday, Louisiana, U.S.GenresRock and roll rockabilly country gospel honky-tonkOccupation(s)Singer songwriter musician actorInstrument(s)Vocals piano6 more rows
Who is Jerry Lee Lewis lead guitarist?
Kenny LovelaceKenny Lovelace (born August 18, 1936) is an American guitarist and singer best known for his tenure with Jerry Lee Lewis since 1966.
Who is the pianist who played Great Balls of Fire?
The latest: Dennis Quaid, 67, reprised his Great Balls of Fire antics at the piano on Sunday during a benefit concert at Nashville's famed venue The Grand Ole Opry honoring ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons.
Who performed Great Balls of Fire at the Grand Ole Opry?
Dennis Quaid relives Great Balls of Fire theatrics at the piano in Billy Gibbons tribute in Nashville benefit concert at The Grand Ole Opry. Dennis Quaid reprised his Great Balls of Fire antics at the piano on Sunday during a benefit concert at Nashville's famed venue The Grand Ole Opry.
Who plays Ronald Reagan in the movie?
Quaid is gearing up to star in another biopic, Reagan, in the lead role of 40th President Ronald Reagan. He will be joined in the cast by Mena Suvari, Jon Voight, Penelope Ann Miller and Kevin Dillon.
Who were on the bill at the concert?
Also on the bill were Eric Church, Lucinda Williams, Tim Montana and Larkin Poe. The concert coincided with the lifting of a number of coronavirus-related restrictions in Music City, as the venue said that masks were welcome, but not required, on signs, according to the outlet.
Who played Lewis in the movie?
The Hollywood stalwart played the role of Lewis in the film, which hit theaters in June of 1989. The cast also included Winona Ryder, Alec Baldwin and the late Steve Allen. +8. Copy link to paste in your message.
Storyline
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.
Did you know
Jerry Lee Lewis re-recorded his songs for this film, which Dennis Quaid lip-syncs. At first, Quaid wanted to record his version of the songs over Lewis' objections, and did. Lewis was surprised at how good he was, and at one point it was proposed that Lewis do half the songs and Quaid half.
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By what name was Great Balls of Fire! (1989) officially released in India in English?
Who wrote the movie Great Balls of Fire?
The story was co-written by Myra Gale Lewis (her autobiography Great Balls of Fire! ), the former wife of Jerry Lee Lewis, with Murray Silver. Despite this, co-writer Silver was upset by the lack of accuracy in the film, claiming it was "phoney".
Who played the piano in Crazy Arms?
Jerry Lee Lewis (Quaid) plays piano (as opposed to a guitar like most other rock artists) during rock and roll 's early years from 1956 to 1958. Jerry Lee 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 such hits 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 to Mississippi ), much to the anger and chagrin of her parents.
How much did Great Balls of Fire cost?
Budget. $16-18 million. Box office. $13.7 million. Great Balls of Fire! is a 1989 American biographical film directed by Jim McBride and starring Dennis Quaid as rockabilly pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis. Based on a biography by Myra Lewis and Murray M. Silver Jr., the screenplay is written by McBride and Jack Baran.
What was Jerry Lee Lewis' first movie soundtrack?
Lewis re-recorded his music from the 1950s for the soundtrack with the title track " Great Balls of Fire ," " Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On " and " That Lucky Old Sun .".
What is the B side of Great Balls of Fire?
The title track of "Great Balls Of Fire" was released as a single on 7" vinyl and CD format with either 2 or 3-tracks in various countries such as the US, UK, Netherlands, Japan and Germany with the B-side being " Breathless " or "Crazy Arms".
Who was the rockabilly pioneer in Great Balls of Fire?
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Great Balls of Fire! Great Balls of Fire! is a 1989 American biographical film directed by Jim McBride and starring Dennis Quaid as rockabilly pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis. Based on a biography by Myra Lewis and Murray M. Silver Jr., the screenplay is written by McBride and Jack Baran.
When was Great Balls of Fire released?
Great Balls of Fire! was released to DVD by MGM Home Entertainment on April 1, 2003 as a Region 1 widescreen DVD. The film was issued on Blu-ray by Olive Films on February 27, 2018.
Who is the actor who plays Jerry Lee Lewis in Great Balls of Fire?
DENNIS QUAID GETS LEGENDARY AS JERRY LEE LEWIS GREAT BALLS OF FIRE. Dennis Quaid was already signed to play the part of Jerry Lee Lewis in "Great Balls of Fire.". But what Quaid really wanted to do was sing the Killer's songs, too. " 'Son, you can't sing like Jerry Lee Lewis,' " Quaid said Lewis told him after one of the Killer's shows in Las Vegas.
Who played the bass in the band X?
Lewis' backup band is portrayed by John Doe (of the rock band X) as the bass player, first cousin and future father- in-law; rock iconoclast Mojo Nixon as the drummer, and Jimmie Vaughan (of the Fabulous Thunderbirds) as the guitar player. Growing up in Houston, Quaid began acting while in high school. He considered a musical career but decided ...
What is the music of the Eclectics?
Quaid describes the Eclectics' music as "Cajun rhythm, Texas blues and urbanized zydeco music . . . more towards roots music.". He insists that it's actually a band - not Dennis Quaid singing and playing in front of a backup band.
Who is the girl who plays the bad guys in Boy Scouts?
Quaid often plays malcontents and outright bad guys. "Well, Boy Scouts aren't really that much fun," he explained. Quaid lives with actress Meg Ryan, who also starred in "D.O.A.". "We go to an island paradise after every movie.
Who is the rocker who has guested with Neville Brothers?
The Orion Pictures release opens today. Quaid was intimidated by the legendary 1950s rocker, even though Quaid's an accomplished rock 'n' roll singer/songwriter/guitarist who has guested with the likes of New Orleans' Neville Brothers and has performed at Southern California clubs with his own band, the Eclectics.
Did Quaid give up on the idea of doing the songs himself?
Quaid didn't give up on the idea of doing the songs himself. He played a tape of himself singing and playing Lewis' hits for Lewis after a Seattle, Wash., concert. When Quaid said metaphorically, "Let's go walk down to the river," Lewis said, as Quaid related it, " 'Son, I'm gonna put you in the river and you ain't never gonna come up.'.