Jerry Lee Lewis: Greatest Live Performances of the 50s, 60s and 70s Review

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(More customer reviews)Great overview of thirty years of Jerry Lee Lewis' career.Of all the ten rock 'n' roll pioneers, only Chuck Berry and Lewis kept the fire going.This DVD is divided into three decades.We get Jerry on the Steve Allen Show tearing up "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," but the follow up of "Great Balls of Fire" on the Steve Allen Show isn't here.The next two cuts, "You Win Again" and "Great Balls of Fire" are not live, but lip-synched on the great Dewey Phillips Pop Show TV Show.Any glimpse of Dewey Phillips is worth the trip.Before Imus, before Wolfman Jack, there was Dewey Phillipsplaying black artists in the early fifties in the segregated deep south.
The final cut from the 1950's is from Dick Clark's first Saturday night Bandstand Show.Jerry Lee cuts through "Breathless."The teenyboppers in the audience are more focused in trying to clap in time.It's quite a struggle for them, poor dears.
The 1960's segment is live and primitive.Jerry Lee back in England a few years after he was booted out.He is more gutsy and gritty and frenetic on this Granada Concert Special than at any other time in his career.The crowd is really into it, to the point of grabbing Jerry Lee and holding on while Jerry Lee Lewis is wailing and tearing up the piano.Some music critics believe that Jerry Lee Lewis' frantic, inciting performances in England and Germany in the early 1960's were the genesis of Punk Music. Let's face it, no one was performing with equal fervor at the time.Elvis had been neutralized, Chuck Berry was doing time, and Little Richard couldn't decide if he was gay or straight, or whether he should continue the evil path of the Devil's music or become a minister.Eventually, Little Richard became a panelist on Hollywood Squares.So, Jerry Lee Lewis was the only rock 'n'roll pioneer who lived what he believed, and paid the heavy price.In case you've forgotten why preachers preached against his music, why radio stations literally banned his records, and why Dick Clark went into hiding when the road got rough, watch the 1960's segment of this DVD. Clear evidence that Jerry Lee Lewis has the devil in him and he has to come out.
The 1970's finds Jerry Lee more sedate, singing his substantial country hits live on Ralph Emery's Pop Goes The Country.There is even a duet with his double first cousin, Mickey Gilley, who Jerry leaves in the musical dust.
As a bonus, there is a chopped up interview from 1993.Time-Life should have just kept the interview intact.But since it is a "bonus," no points lost, but Colin Escott usually has higher standards.
If Ken Burns ever wakes up and does a series on the History of Rock 'n' Roll, he would have to use much of what is on this DVD.But you don't have to wait for Ken Burns to wake up. You can see it now!

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Product Description:
Time Life is proud to offer the first-ever career-spanningcollection of 19 unforgettable live performances from the '50s through the'70s by Jerry Lee Lewis. This includes his greatest hits such as,"Breathless," "Great Balls of Fire," and "Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On."The bonus material includes one of the most comprehensive and revealinginterviews with Jerry Lee Lewis. Track Listings:Whole Lot Of Shakin' Going On You Win Again Great Balls of Fire Breathless High School Confidential I'm on Fire Your Cheatin' Heart Who's Gonna Play This Old Piano? Me and Bobby McGee Lewis Boogie Ferriday Medley: Has Anybody Seen My Gal? In a Shany in Old Shanty Town Don't Be Ashamed of Your Age Drinking Wine Spo-Dee-O-Dee Jerry Lee Lewis interviewed in the orginal Sun Studio [Bonus] High School Confidential trailer [Bonus]

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