Places that are Rare for Jerry Lee Lewis to Play

[jllWAfan1982]

How often has he played in Asia? How long since he has done a tour there, if ever?

How long has it been since he has been down to Australia?

Does he go to Russia or Eastern European countries ever?

What about Canada or Mexico?

One might also mention Africa, but then most major artists only play there a handful of times, if even that.

[peterchecksfield]

How often has he played in Asia? How long since he has done a tour there, if ever?

How long has it been since he has been down to Australia?

Does he go to Russia or Eastern European countries ever?

What about Canada or Mexico?

One might also mention Africa, but then most major artists only play there a handful of times, if even that.

He did a concert in Thailand in 2005, but I think that's the only Asian concert he's ever done.

He hasn't been to Australia in 20 years, touring there in 1958, 1960, 1970, 1979 & 1989.

He's played in Russia, Hungary, Poland & Turkey (& possibly other East European countries) in recent years.

No sure about Mexico off-hand, but he's certainly played in Canada many times (his very first tour was in Canada, & he's played there at least as recently as 2006).

And yes, he's played the African continent, when he played for a week or two in Saudi Arabia in 1978 (for US army bases though).

South America is a rarity, having played there only in 1992 & 1993 (though with another tour scheduled this year).

One unique visit was Iceland, where he played a few shows in late 1986.

The main country that's missing to me is Japan! The vast majority of big western acts have toured in Japan (even Chuck Berry recorded a fine live album there in 1981).

[jllWAfan1982]

I remember that Thailand concert; I saw it on your list as an audio or video and was surprised by the unusual location. Japan was what made me think about this in the first place, as it seems like a lot of other acts that tour in Tokyo have professional telecasts or radio broadcasts made, and I didn't remember ever seeing one. They seem to like American acts a lot, but he is so old, I am not sure if they would care at this point. I am sure he could probably get enough people in a modest venue to make it feasible, but I think he would have done much better years ago.

[wolfgangguhl]

Sure they care about him. Big time! Chuck Berry, the late James Brown and the late Bo Diddley were celebrated like kings when they toured Japan a few years ago.

But with Jerry's political "views" it is doubtful to ever happen.

[jarireinikka]

I´ve been in touch with older Mexican guy few years ago who has told me JLL has played there once(according to his knowledge),he was there

[peterchecksfield]

Sure they care about him. Big time! Chuck Berry, the late James Brown and the late Bo Diddley were celebrated like kings when they toured Japan a few years ago.

But with Jerry's political "views" it is doubtful to ever happen.

There's also a very good Japanese JLL impersonater / tribute act, though I've forgot his name (I heard a CD of his at Graham's house once, & he does an excellent version of 'Livin' Lovin' Wreck', even though he actually sings 'Wivin' Wovin' Wreck'...). Sort of an oriental Mick Muster!

[jllWAfan1982]

What are Jerry Lee's political views with regards to the Japanese? Is he against them? Jerry is old enough to be pissed off about WWII events, I guess, as the Japanese did attack his country during his childhood. Could that have something to do with it, or is it something else altogether?

[peterchecksfield]

What are Jerry Lee's political views with regards to the Japanese? Is he against them? Jerry is old enough to be pissed off about WWII events, I guess, as the Japanese did attack his country during his childhood. Could that have something to do with it, or is it something else altogether?

He hates them. Whenever Kay Martin points out that Jerry isn't a racist I remind her that black & white aren't the only colours, but her reply is "He gets that from his dad!". Maybe so, but don't most racists inherit their views from the way they're raised?

[thrund]

Here some locations and dates what I know (most mentioned here before):

Australia (incl. New Zealand):
1958, 1960, 1970, 1979, 1989 (probably he was there in April '78 too, but no shows confirmed)

Reikjavik / Iceland: 07. - 09. Nov. 1986

Budapest / Hungary: 17. Nov. 1989 & 26. July 1998

Zagreb / Croatia: 08. Dec. 1990

Belgrad / Yugoslavia: 09. Dec. 1990

Mexico City / Mexico: 18. June 1992

South America: 1992 & 1993

Bucharest / Romania: 04. Sept. 1993

Moscow / Russia: 21. + 22. March 1997

Estoril / Portugal: 31. Dec. 2001

Prague / Czech: 14. Oct. 2004

Sofia / Bulgaria: 18. Oct. 2004

Koh Samui / Thailand: 24. Sept. 2005

Istambul / Turkey: 06. March 2006

I can't confirm the Saudi Arabia 1978 date, have heard from but never I saw pics or press articles or what ever. That's sad, it really would be of interest.

Thomas

[martin bates]

What are Jerry Lee's political views with regards to the Japanese? Is he against them? Jerry is old enough to be pissed off about WWII events, I guess, as the Japanese did attack his country during his childhood. Could that have something to do with it, or is it something else altogether?

He hates them. Whenever Kay Martin points out that Jerry isn't a racist I remind her that black & white aren't the only colours, but her reply is "He gets that from his dad!". Maybe so, but don't most racists inherit their views from the way they're raised?

I think it's purely Pearl Harbour, if that's distinct from being a racist. I've mentioned before that my daughter has recently spent some time in Japan. My mum was against her going there for similar reasons...ie going back to WWII.....we had a relative badly treated as well......but we were all impressed with the courteous and friendly Japanes that we & Victoria met; when we met one of her housemates & enquired where she was originally from, it was a bit of a conversation killer when she said "Hiroshima"! Iremember reading that Gene Vincent did a very successful tour back in the 50's -perhaps Jerry turned down similar offers at the time.Nowadays people probably wouldn't mention it to him !

Here's a sample of night life in Tokyo ....Jerry would fit right in;

Martin.

[Tony Papard]

And yes, he's played the African continent, when he played for a week or two in Saudi Arabia in 1978 (for US army bases though).


A woman I knew was working in Saudi when Jerry flew in, and she heard about it, so it must have made a splash among the English-speaking people there at the time. But Saudi Arabia is in Asia, not Africa.

Jerry never played in any Eastern/Central European countries until after the fall of Socialism there, whether because of difficulties getting work permits, visas, etc. or for more political reasons I don't know, though he did play Yugoslavia just before it broke up into separate states.

He did, of course, play West Berlin many times, 100 miles inside East Germany, but by flying in and out he wouldn't really have been aware of crossing the Iron Curtain.

[thrund]

A woman I knew was working in Saudi when Jerry flew in, and she heard about it, so it must have made a splash among the English-speaking people there at the time. But Saudi Arabia is in Asia, not Africa.

Interesting....Do you remeber details about?

Jerry never played in any Eastern/Central European countries until after the fall of Socialism there, whether because of difficulties getting work permits, visas, etc. or for more political reasons I don't know, ......

No wonder there.....it was a political reason.
I can only speak about the affairs in the former GDR and from my own experiences there.
The so-called Socialism (they political leaders there had the audacity to call it communism) of the political leadership was just mask, it was a human despise regime like Hitler's Nazi regime, with the same state structur.
They was full of fear for and don't accept other political positions or free thoughts, also not basics behind Rock'n Roll.

[peterchecksfield]

A woman I knew was working in Saudi when Jerry flew in, and she heard about it, so it must have made a splash among the English-speaking people there at the time. But Saudi Arabia is in Asia, not Africa.

Joel Schumaker also confirmed to me that they played there. He remembers that alcohol was strictly illegal, not such a problem for Joel but a BIG problem for Jerry, Kenny etc (though some was apparantly smuggled in!).

[thrund]

A woman I knew was working in Saudi when Jerry flew in, and she heard about it, so it must have made a splash among the English-speaking people there at the time. But Saudi Arabia is in Asia, not Africa.

Joel Schumaker also confirmed to me that they played there. He remembers that alcohol was strictly illegal, not such a problem for Joel but a BIG problem for Jerry, Kenny etc (though some was apparantly smuggled in!).

Now read in Paul's book and he mentioned 3 shows for the Saudi Arabia tour for mid of may '78 with gigs in Dubai, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi.

[jllWAfan1982]

Another place in Asia Jerry could play would be Hong Kong.

I can't blame Jerry for hating the Japanese.