Life Upon the Wicked Stage

Jerry Lee Lewis: Great Balls of Fire, Indeed


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The hosts discuss Jerry Lee Lewis's career and controversies, including his rise at Sun Records, membership in the "Million Dollar Quartet," and hits like "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" and "Great Balls of Fire," alongside stories of ego and volatile behavior. They outline his marriages and family tragedies: a bigamous second marriage before his first divorce finalized; marriage at 22 to 13-year-old cousin Myra Gale Brown, which derailed his British tour; and allegations of physical and mental abuse. They cover the drowning death of Myra's child, later deaths and scandals involving Lewis, and the disputed deaths of wives Jaren Pate (1982 pool drowning) and Shawn Stevens (1983 methadone overdose), citing a Rolling Stone account of blood, bruising, and inconsistencies. The episode emphasizes how fame, power, and systems allegedly protected him.

00:00 Listener Warning

00:15 Valentines Banter

02:16 Meet Jerry Lee Lewis

06:10 Early Life and Sun Records

12:26 Hits and Wild Persona

15:20 Child Bride Scandal

27:58 Backlash and Dark Turn

36:45 Intermission and Plugs

37:39 Wife Four and Threats

40:55 Fourth Wife Drowning

42:29 Power Shields Scandal

47:29 Fifth Wife Dies Fast

50:03 Blood Bruises Questions

51:53 Methadone Explained

01:00:06 Needle Marks Struggle

01:07:15 Exit Plan Cut Off

01:10:43 Why No Indictment

01:16:39 Celebrity Accountability

01:20:23 Wrap Up And Outro

...more
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Life Upon the Wicked StageBy Upstage Right

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