Singer, Songwriter, Pianist. He was best known as one of the early pioneers of rock and roll music with such hits as "Great Balls of Fire," "Breathless," "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" and "High School Confidential." He started playing music at an early age, performing at school assemblies, talent shows, and tent revivals, as well as on the radio. He tried to break into the music business in both New Orleans (making his first recordings at Cosimo Matassa's J&M Recording Studio) and Shreveport, Louisiana (on radio's Louisiana Hayride), and in Nashville, Tennessee. Drawn by the success of Elvis Presley, he landed at Sam Phillips' Sun Records label in Memphis, Tennessee. He established himself as a major rockabilly star on Sun Records with "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," "Great Balls of Fire," and "Breathless," which were all top hits in 1957 and 1958. His rhythmically assured and versatile "pumping" piano style was influenced by church music and country musicians such as Moon Mullican, who played western swing and honky-tonk. Nicknamed "The Killer", he captivated legions of fans with his flamboyant attitude and unpredictable, charismatic showmanship in stage, television, and film appearances. In 1958, scandal nearly ended his career. While on tour in England, he was scorned by the press when it was learned that he had married his 13-year-old cousin (the daughter of his bassist), Myra Gale Brown. The fact that his previous marriage was still valid only made matters worse. Despite the ensuing boycott, he continued recording and performing wherever he could. In 1961, his version of Ray Charles' "What'd I Say" was a hit. He soon returned to England, this time greeted as a star. Nevertheless, his comeback was complete only in the late 1960s, after he had shifted his musical focus and had a series of hits on the country charts; his success in that genre extended into the early 1980s. In 1986, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. A biopic film was made about his life and career called "Great Balls of Fire" (1989) starring Dennis Quaid as Lewis and Winona Ryder as Myra Gale. In 1999, Lewis was inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. In 2005, he received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2008, Lewis was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. In 2012, he was inducted into the Memphis Music Hall of Fame. In 2022, Lewis was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. He continued performing sporadically well into the 21st Century.