Jerry Lee Lewis’ Third Marriage Caused A Scandal That Tanked His Career

Since Jerry Lee Lewis' passing, fans have been eager to take a look back at the rock 'n' roller's decades-long career — and they've surely been surprised to learn that his life outside of the spotlight was nothing to look up to. In the late 1950s, Jerry Lee Lewis stood on the brink of becoming legendary. Elvis Presley was off serving America in the military, so the stage was set for someone new to jump in and take his place as the king of rock ’n’ roll. When Lewis arrived in London for a tour in 1958, hordes of fans greeted him. But they were nowhere to be seen by the time he left.

Touching down in London town

Lewis had arrived at England’s Heathrow Airport with a young girl by his side. The journalists reporting on the rock star’s tour were curious to know who she was. A Daily Mail journalist approached her and inquired about her identity. The answer changed the entire course of Lewis’ career.

Lewis learns age is more than just a number

The girl’s name was Myra, and she was the wife of Lewis. Lewis’ behavior regarding her would be unfathomable today. For a start, he immediately lied about her age to the questioning journalists. And there was more on top of even that. By the time Lewis left England, he would be a pariah; still, no one has forgotten what happened.

Great Balls of Fire

Lewis was a massive rock star at the time the scandal hit. Prior to the disastrous trip to England, he had the world at his feet. In America, he was considered a sort of bad boy of rock ’n’ roll. Songs he performed, such as “Great Balls of Fire” and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” proved too much for some radio stations.

He was “rock ’n’ roll’s first great wild man”

Lewis’ onstage antics led to him being dubbed “rock ’n’ roll’s first great wild man.” On stage, he adopted a performance style that people weren’t remotely used to back then. He would kick away the piano seat and play the instrument standing up. Sometimes he would even stand or sit on top of the keyboard.