On This Day in 1957, Jerry Lee Lewis Released a Controversial Song That Became His First No. 1

On this day (April 15) in 1957, Jerry Lee Lewis released “Whole Lot of Shakin’ Goin’ On” as his second single for Sun Records. It went to the top of the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, giving Lewis his first of four No. 1 country singles.

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Written by Curlee Williams and Roy Hall, “Whole Lot of Shakin’ Goin’ On” was originally recorded in 1955 by R&B singer Big Maybelle. Her Quincy Jones-produced version of the song failed to chart. However, it caught Lewis’ ear and inspired him to create his version which was louder and faster. It was also considered risque for the time.

[RELATED: Remember When: Jerry Lee Lewis’ Electrifying TV Debut]

The spoken asides that add a little spice to the song were Lewis’ invention. They were only part of why the single didn’t see much airplay upon release. According to Songfacts, radio stations found several reasons to avoid playing the song. For instance, they misheard some of the lyrics and claimed that Lewis cursed during the song. They also believed that he sounded Black. Seven years before segregation ended in the United States, that was enough for most stations to pass on the track.

The song got a huge boost when Lewis performed it during his debut on The Steve Allen Show in July 1957. While many radio stations refused to play it, countless people watched that show every week, giving Lewis a much wider audience. As a result, the single sold millions of copies.

Jerry Lee Lewis’ Hits Dried Up Fast

“Whole Lot of Shakin’ Goin’ On” was a crossover hit for Jerry Lee Lewis, topping the country and R&B charts and landing at No. 3 on the Hot 100. He was on track to rival his label mate Elvis Presley. However, after news of his marriage to his 13-year-old cousin broke in 1958, his hits mostly dried up.

He’d see minor chart success in the early 1960s with his covers of Ray Charles’ “What’d I Say” and Hank Williams’ “Cold Cold Heart.” Later in the decade, he hits on the R&B and country charts with tracks like “What’s Made Milwaukee Famous,” “She Still Comes Around,” “To Make Love Sweeter for You,” and “One Minute Past Eternity.” However, he’d only crack the top 40 on the Hot 100 one more time with his cover of “Me and Bobby McGee” in 1971.

Despite the controversy surrounding his incestuous marriage and a laundry list of erratic behavior, he’s often hailed as a pioneer of rock and roll. “Whole Lot of Shakin’ Goin’ On” was the beginning of that legacy.

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