Born in Ferriday, Louisiana, on this day in 1935, Jerry Lee Lewis is often remembered as “rock & roll’s first great wild man and one of the most influential pianists of the twentieth century.” Steve Allen introduces him as “jumpin’ and joltin’ Jerry Lee Lewis” in this 1957 clip of “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” and Dick Clark interviews his fan club president to kick off this 1958 performance of “Great Balls of Fire.”
