My work colleague had BBC radio 6 on at work this evening and I couldn't believe my ears when I heard clips of the Jerry-Lee interview and news about the new album, got me smiling!
Today's Music News
Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis
Great Balls of Fire... a legend is in town
24 October 2008 - Jerry Lee Lewis managed to avoid answering any questions about the scandals, which in the past, almost threatened to destroy his career today (24 October), as the American rock 'n' roll legend appeared in front of the world's media in London to promote his upcoming tour.
Pausing briefly for shots on a grand piano the music pioneer was bullied into his seat by his daughter Phoebe Lewis, who spent part of the press conference attempting her own replies to most of the questions directed at the ageing rocker who at times had problems hearing.
You'd be forgiven then for wondering how, at the age of 73, Jerry Lee Lewis can still perform live and embark on a string of shows across Europe that will see him playing in London later on this month.
The answer lies in the mix of hillbilly boogie and black rhythm'n'blues that has created hysteria at concerts recently - indeed when asked whether he thought he would have made it this far he replied:
"Yeah, I kind of felt like I would, I felt like I was obligated to anyway, I enjoy my music and I enjoy playing to crowds, and if they ever stop coming, I'll quit playing."
Lewis will be releasing a new album, the follow up to 2006's Last Man Standing, sometime in 2009, and revealed that Mick Jagger and Keith Richards would be featuring on the new record, "I have known them back when they were kids, like really young kids", he said.
"If they ever stop coming, i'll quit playing."
Jerry Lee Lewis
The next instalment he claims will be "the best thing" he's done, he went onto explain that Kris Kristofferson, who once worked with Johnny Cash and dated Janis Joplin before her death, would be working alongside him on the record:
"All the songs we were going to record we didn’t record, boy, he brought some of the hardest songs I have ever seen in my life to learn, and we're still working on it as a matter of fact".
When "The Killer" isn't making music or touring he admits he watches Fox News and even listens to his daughter's iPod.
He was also quick to point out that he's already voted for John McCain to be the next President of the United States and even admitted to the press that his favourite ever Christmas song is Rudolph The Red Nose Reindeer, needless to say he's thinking of recording a Christmas album next year.
Along with US artists Jack Scott, Wanda Jackson, Frankie Ford and Linda Gail Lewis, the Great Balls of Fire singer will be performing one of two concerts on Tuesday 28 October and Saturday 8 November at the Forum in Kentish Town in London.
A third concert featuring Little Richard, Little Willie Littlefield and Mike Sanchez has been postponed until March 2009.
Live Dates:
November 1 CCH Hamburg
November 4 Tempodrom Berlin
November 8 Finlandia Hall Helsinki
November 10 Zurich (+ Chuck Berry)
November 14 Le Zenith Paris (+ Chuck Berry)
November 16 Falconer Hall Copenhagen
November 19 Heineken Music Hall Amsterdam
November 22 SAP Arena (+ Chuck Berry)
Novemebr 26 Vorst National Brussels
November 29 Eiendals Arena Leksland
December 3 Gasometer Viena
