Jerry Lee Lewis was one of the rock and roll stars in the world during the genre’s infancy. Iconic songs like “Whole Lot of Shakin’ Goin’ On” and “Great Balls of Fire” brought him crossover hits and international acclaim. However, it wouldn’t last. On this day (May 22) in 1958, a simple introduction revealed his unsavory private life to the world and tanked both his first European tour and his career as a whole.
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After releasing a cover of the country classic “Crazy Arms” in 1956 that failed to chart, Lewis went back to the drawing board. The next year, he unleashed a barrage of hits. “Whole Lot of Shakin’ Goin’ On” peaked at No. 3 on the Hot 100 and topped both the country and R&B charts. His next single, “Great Balls of Fire,” went to No. 2 on the Hot 100, topped the country and R&B charts, and went to No. 1 on the UK Singles Chart. This international success meant he was ready for an extensive tour of the United Kingdom.
Lewis landed at London’s Heathrow Airport on May 22, 1958. He and his entourage were met by reporters. One journalist for The Daily Mail noticed a child among the rock star’s group and asked who she was. “I’m Myra, Jerry’s wife,” she replied. Taken aback, the reporter asked Lewis how old his new bride was, and he replied that Mrya was 15. Unfortunately for The Killer, 15 was below the United Kingdom’s age of consent. As a result, the report caused outrage, and it only got worse from there.
Things Go Downhill Quickly for Jerry Lee Lewis
According to History, fans boycotted his shows. After just three stops of the planned 27-show tour, Lewis called the whole thing off and went back to the United States. Unfortunately for him, the word of his underage bride followed him back to the States. His trip to the UK lasted less than a week.
Then, people learned that Myra wasn’t 15. She was 13. More than that, she was his first cousin. Just when everyone believed the story couldn’t get worse, they learned that the “Great Balls of Fire” singer was still legally married to his second wife when he and his middle school-aged cousin tied the knot.
The news that Jerry Lee Lewis had married a child spread quickly, even decades before the internet. As a result, he returned to a country that had largely turned its back on him. While he would see a few more hits on the country charts in the United States, he’d never have another top 10 hit on the Hot 100.
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