Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On

Here's to another rock and roll pioneer.  Jerry Lee Lewis was probably the first reckless rock and roller.  Inducted in 1986, he at that point had sold millions upon millions of singles and records.  Known for his scandalous lyrics, Lewis also developed a reputation after marrying his 13-year-old cousin in 1958.  That was the point where his career faltered a little bit.

But aside from his troubled past, Jerry Lee Lewis began loving music at a young age.  At eight he started to play the piano based on the music he heard around him.  Boogie-woogie, R&B and Delta blues were his influences in music.  In 1956, he traveled to Memphis, Tennessee to audition for Sun Records.  Rock and roll greats Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Roy Orbison were all a part of the record-breaking label.

[Source:  YouTube]

Lewis recorded "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On" with Sun Records in 1957.  The song was originally written by Dave "Curlee" Williams and James Faye "Roll" Hall.  The song was first recorded in 1955 by Big Maybelle for Okeh Records.  It was Lewis' idea to add the "boogie piano" with complements by J.M. Van Eaton playing the drums with a lot of energy.