How to play piano with style: Jerry Lee Lewis (Dont try this at home!)
Who Is Jerry Lee Lewis?
Jerry Lee Lewis started his career out on Sam Phillips famous record label, Sun Records in 1956. He began as a solo artist and playing sessions with other artists on his label like Johnny Cash and Elvis. He had many successful songs, but “Great Balls of Fire” and “A Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On” were his two biggest hits.
How to Play Piano with Style:
The reason I’m sharing this video with you is not because of the specific chords or notes he was playing, but because Jerry Lee Lewis was a wild performer! While most traditional piano players sit down and are calm and worried about having proper posture while performing, Jerry had a lot of showy moves on the piano that made it really exciting to watch.
He would kick the piano bench over to stand up and at times he would even stand on the piano! While he was sitting down, he would shake his legs as if he were dancing. He also played A TON of big glissandos (slides) up and down the piano.
Lighting the Piano on Fire!
One of my favorites is that he would light the piano on fire, pouring kerosene on the top of the piano and creating fireballs during the song Great Balls of Fire.
These are all tricks that are pretty common now among contemporary piano rock artists like Billy Joel and Elton John thanks to Jerry Lee Lewis.
Guitar Vs Piano Rock Stars:
Until I watched videos of him, I had always considered piano to be less exciting than guitar and not a good lead instrument for a rock band. Guitarists are always entertaining to watch because its so easy for them to play standing up. This is a lot more visually entertaining than watching a classical pianist who except for his hands, sits still most of the time. (I’ve fallen asleep through more than one piano concert). Jerry Lee Lewis however made the piano really fun to watch and helped make it a lead instrument as exciting as guitar.
Chris,
no more coffee for Jerry
Jerry’s Vitalis,( drummer also), dried out 1/2 way into the song
the drummer,(3 piece kit/one cymbal) and the bass player
( Fender P bass) have a suit jacket and tie on,
Jerry is set to referee a match
Seems to me Jerry missed a couple of notes towards the end
and went off key at least twice
they all end the song at difference times
I still give them 5 stars……
great old time rock and roll piano from a great era… love it!