Back in February 1986 I drove to Tumwater to see Jerry Lee Lewis execute at a rodeo sector called The Trails. All of it returned when the information appeared that he passed away Friday at age 87.
It was among my most remarkable celeb meetings.
Jerry Lee Lewis relies on me: “You obtained an issue?”
Me: “Uh, no.”
Lewis: “I do. Ha-ha.”
I visited Jerry Lee with Times professional photographer Alan Berner. We suched as collaborating on these sort of tales; you understand, simply a little around.
Lewis had actually been scheduled by a man that was an outright beginner at show promo, a regional lounge artist that somehow had actually made a decision that his very first initiative at this kind of point would certainly be the rock ‘n’ roll tale. At that time, Jerry Lee regulated $10,000 to $15,000 ($ 27,000 to $41,000 in today’s bucks) for one hr for him as well as his artists; you gave the piano, drums, boosting as well as lights systems.
The ambitious marketer utilized all his financial savings, plus he obtained a couple of thousand dollars. The soundstage was developed onto a flatbed vehicle brought ideal onto the dust flooring.
The marketer, Jim Manning, informed me he really did not mind that at $12.50 a ticket, as well as with just 2,000 ticket offered, he consumed regarding $6,000.
” I’m 42. I have actually constantly enjoyed his songs. I still bear in mind when I initially saw that 1958 film, ‘Secondary school Confidential,’ that had Jerry Lee playing piano on the back of a vehicle. It simply completely knocked me out.”
The marketer scheduled the handful of media kinds that turned up to meet his celebrity reservation.
I do bear in mind assuming that Jerry Lee appeared like, you understand, like he had actually been consuming alcohol: That type of straight appearance with boding ideas swirling that you can obtain after a couple of.
I brought my tape recorder as well as Jerry Lee really did not appear to such as that. He took it as well as invested time looking it over.
I believed he was mosting likely to punch me out.
After that Jerry Lee babbled awhile, with remarks such as, “The only documents I ever before pay attention to is mine. If I ever before listen to anything much better, I’ll pay attention to it.”
Anyhow … He offered the group a program. The target market hooted, whistled as well as shouted.
The initial Feb. 28, 1986, tale is right here.
