What was the name of the movie with Jerry Lee Lewis?
Great Balls of Fire! (film) Jump to navigation Jump to search. 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 year did Jerry Lee Lewis sing Great Balls of fire?
" Great Balls of Fire " is a 1957 popular song recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis on Sun Records [2] and featured in the 1957 movie Jamboree. It was written by Otis Blackwell and Jack Hammer. The Jerry Lee Lewis 1957 recording was ranked as the 96th greatest song ever by Rolling Stone. The song is in AABA form. [3]
Who sang Great Balls of fire in Jamboree?
Great Balls of Fire. " Great Balls of Fire " is a 1957 popular song recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis on Sun Records and featured in the 1957 movie Jamboree. It was written by Otis Blackwell and Jack Hammer. The Jerry Lee Lewis 1957 recording was ranked as the 96th greatest song ever by Rolling Stone. The song is in AABA form.
What song did Jerry Lee Lewis sing in Lethal Weapon 2?
The song "Great Balls Of Fire" is shown climbing the Billboard charts to number one. The song only made it to number two. Jerry Lee Lewis: Well, if I'm going to hell, I'm going there playing the piano! Featured in At the Movies: Lethal Weapon 2/The Karate Kid Part III/Great Balls of Fire/Weekend at Bernie's/A Taxing Woman Returns (1989)
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Who plays in the movie Jerry Lee Lewis?
Dennis QuaidGreat 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.
Did Dennis Quaid really play the piano in 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.
What year did Jerry Lee Lewis come out with Great Balls of Fire?
1957Today in 1957, Sun Records released "Great Balls Of Fire," by Jerry Lee Lewis. The single went on to sell more than five million copies worldwide, and was a No. 2 in the U.S, making it one of the world's best-selling singles of all time.
How old was Winona Ryder when she filmed 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 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."
Did Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis get along?
He had his whole entourage with him, and a couple of girlfriends and they were having a great time. There was no reason for him to go down there other than that he was concerned for his friend', Linda Gail's voice takes on a halcyon quality when she remembers Elvis and Jerry Lee's friendship.
Did Jerry Lee Lewis really 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."
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 ...
Who had a hit with Great Balls of Fire in 1957?
Jerry Lee Lewis"Great Balls of Fire" is a 1957 popular song recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis on Sun Records and featured in the 1957 movie Jamboree. It was written by Otis Blackwell and Jack Hammer. The Jerry Lee Lewis 1957 recording was ranked as the 96th greatest song ever by Rolling Stone. The song is in AABA form.
Who was the original singer of Great Balls of Fire?
His Signature Song One of the world's best-selling singles of all time, Jerry Lee Lewis struck gold with “Great Balls of Fire” which he released on November 11, 1957 and was featured in the 1957 rock 'n roll film “Jamboree”. It was an instant success, selling one million copies in its first ten days.
Did Jerry 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.
Was Winona Ryder married to Johnny Depp?
On the other hand, Depp famously altered his “Winona forever” tattoo to read “Wino forever” in an effort to move on. And despite Ryder never marrying after Depp, the “Nightmare on Elm Street” star went on to tie the knot with Amber Heard in 2015.
Where was Great Balls of Fire filmed?
Several scenes of Great Balls of Fire! were filmed on location in the Arkansas towns of Marion (Crittenden County) and West Memphis (Crittenden County), with other filming taking place in nearby Memphis, Tennessee.
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.
What do Great Balls of Fire mean?
An exclamation of surprise and amazement.
Does Jerry Lee Lewis still perform?
In 1986, he was an inaugural inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Born on Sept. 29, 1935, and after seven marriages, the deaths of two wives and two sons, various arrests, tax troubles and numerous other travails, Lewis still continues to perform and record.
Who has Jerry Lee Lewis been married to?
Judith Brownm. 2012Kerrie McCarverm. 1984–2005Shawn Stephensm. 1983–1983Jaren Elizabeth Gunn Patem. 1971–1982Myra Gale Brownm. 1958–1970Jane Mitchumm. 1953–1957Jerry Lee Lewis/Spouse
Who was Elvis favorite actor?
James DeanToday's #60Years artists is Elvis' favorite actor and an icon for the '50s teenage rebellion - James Dean. Who would you like to see featured?
What did Jerry Lee Lewis think of Elvis?
“I really wish people would stop tryin' to compare me with Elvis,” Jerry Lee said. “We are entirely different performers. 'Bout the only thing we got in common is that we're from Tennessee.”
How old was Priscilla Presley when she married Elvis?
May 1, 1967: Elvis and Priscilla Presley get married in Las Vegas. When she was 21 years old, Elvis and Priscilla got married on May 1, 1967, in a Las Vegas ceremony that lasted just eight minutes.
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 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.
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 .".
How old was Jerry Lee Lewis when he married?
The early career of Jerry Lee Lewis, from his rise to rock and roll stardom to his controversial marriage to his 13-year-old cousin that led to his downfall, is depicted in the film. Until the scandal of the marriage depreciated his image, many had thought Lewis would supplant Elvis Presley as the "King of Rock and Roll" in the 1950s.
What happened to Jerry Lee?
Jerry Lee is booed and ridiculed off stage at his opening concert; and as a result, his British tour is cancelled and he is deported from England. Confident that his career will remain a success, Jerry Lee is undaunted; however, the scandal follows him back to the States.
How did Trey Wilson die?
This was the final film of character actor Trey Wilson. He died at age forty from a cerebral hemorrhage in January 1989, prior to the film's release.
Who wrote Great Balls of Fire?
" Great Balls of Fire " is a 1957 popular song recorded by Jerry Lee Lewis on Sun Records and featured in the 1957 movie Jamboree. It was written by Otis Blackwell and Jack Hammer.
What is Jerry Lee Lewis' greatest song?
The Jerry Lee Lewis 1957 recording was ranked as the 96th greatest song ever by Rolling Stone. The song is in AABA form. The song sold one million copies in its first 10 days of release in the United States making it one of best-selling singles in the United States at that time.
Where was the original Jerry Lee Lewis song recorded?
Song information. The song is best known for Jerry Lee Lewis's original recording, which was recorded in the Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, on October 8, 1957, using three personnel: Lewis (piano/vocals), Sidney Stokes (bass), and a session drummer, Larry Linn, instead of the usual Sun backups Jimmy Van Eaton (drums) and Roland Janes (guitar).
Who played Goose in Top Gun?
In the 1986 film Top Gun, LTJG Nick "Goose" Bradshaw (portrayed by Anthony Edwards) plays the song in a bar with his family and Pete Mitchell ( Tom Cruise ). The song is available on the Top Gun soundtrack special edition released in 1999. The title of the 1989 biopic, Great Balls of Fire! about Lewis, played by Dennis Quaid, ...
Who is Jerry Lewis?
Jerry Lee Lewis (born September 29, 1935 in Ferriday, Louisiana, U.S.) is an American rock and roll and country music singer, songwriter, and pianist, as well as an early pioneer of rock and roll music. He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986 and his pioneering contribution to the genre has been recognized by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. His nickname is The Killer. Like Elvis Presley, he was raised singing the Christian gospel music of integrated southern Pentecostal churches. In 1950 he attended Southwestern Bible Institute in Texas but was expelled for miscondu… read more
Where was the song Great Balls of Fire recorded?
Jerry Lee Lewis's recording of “Great Balls of Fire” is the most well-known. It was recorded in the Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, on October 8, 1957, and released as a single in November 1957. It reached #2 on the US chart and #1 in the UK. The song was ranked as the 96th greatest song ever by Rolling Stone Magazine.
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 ...
How old was Quaid when he played Lewis?
Playing the incendiary Lewis was a dream-come-true for 35-year-old Quaid, who remembers as a 4-year-old bouncing in the back seat of his daddy's car to "Great Balls of Fire.".
What did Lewis give Quaid?
Lewis was so impressed that he gave Quaid an ID bracelet he had bought after "Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On" was released in 1957. The most difficult part of the role for Quaid was the music. He lip- synched the music to Lewis' re-recordings.
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.
How much did Quaid get paid for the role of Lewis?
Quaid, who said he was paid $2 million to do the role, was previously directed by McBride in "The Big Easy.". The movie, "Great Balls of Fire," depicts Lewis at the height of his popularity when his scandalous marriage to his 13-year-old second cousin brought down his career.
Overview
Plot
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. 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 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-ye…
Cast
• Dennis Quaid as Jerry Lee Lewis
• Winona Ryder as Myra Gale Brown
• John Doe as J. W. Brown
• Stephen Tobolowsky as Jud Phillips
Production
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". Director Jim McBride admitted that it was never his intention to tie his film to the facts, and stated, "This movie does not represent itself in any way to be a historical documentary. We use the book as a jumping-off point."
Reception
Roger Ebert, film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times, did not like the film because of its screenplay, and wrote, "This is a simpleminded rock 'n' roll history in which the pleasures are many and the troubles are few. Lewis, played by Dennis Quaid as a grinning simpleton with a crazy streak and a manic piano style, climbs the same career ladder as many of the stars of musical biographies, but he does it with lightning speed." Ebert also said that Quaid did a nice job of reproducing Lewis' st…
Soundtrack
An original motion picture soundtrack was released by the producers on the Polydor Records label on June 8, 1989. 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." The soundtrack contains 12 tracks. A music video of the song "Great Balls of Fire", with Quaid and Lewis playing the piano and containing snippets of scenes from the film, was featured on the original VHS vide…
Home media
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.
External links
• Great Balls of Fire! at the American Film Institute Catalog
• Great Balls of Fire! at IMDb
• Great Balls of Fire! at AllMovie
• Great Balls of Fire! film trailer at YouTube