His own story harper, which follows the singer from an upbringing steeped in religion to wild nights on the road with the first heroes of rock and roll to the hard times and later redemptions of his rocky life. His own story is the killers life as he lived it, and as he shared it over two years with our greatest bard of southern life. I met him several times during his comeback years in the late 1960s and rick bragg s account is true to the man. Bragg, a former reporter for the new york times, hits all the legendary moments, both high and low. Jerry lee lewis his own story by rick bragg canongate books. Number one with a bullet as a boy jerry lee lewis would sneak into a segregated blues joint called will haneys big house and hide under tables.
Rick bragg has turned it into literature, fitting in somewhere between william. His own story is the last great untold rockandroll story, in the legends own words. His own story, paperback by bragg, rick, isbn 0062078240, isbn 9780062078247, brand new, free shipping in the us draws on more than two years of interviews between the pulitzer prizewinning writer and the rock and roll hall of fame inductee to document lewis rebellious youth, marriages, party lifestyle, irs setbacks and brushes with death. In october of 2014 the killer released his first ever biography with pulitzer prize winning author rick bragg. His own story by bragg, rick abebooks passion for books.
Jerry lee lewis, the pianopounding father of rock n roll, struggled with. The greatest southern storyteller of our time, new york times bestselling author rick bragg, tracks down the greatest rock and roller of all time, jerry lee lewis and gets his own story, from the source, for the very first time. In it, rick bragg tells the wartsandall story of a troubled man, part saint, part sinner, who helped change the world loud and quiet magazine. His first day on earth was indicative of what was to. Rick bragg talks about jerry lee lewis at the louisiana book festival in baton rouge saturday. Jerry lee lewis finally tells his story the newsstar. He won a pulitzer prize in 1996 recognizing his work at the new york times. New york times bestseller the greatest southern storyteller of our time, new york times bestselling author rick bragg, tracks down the greatest rock and roller of all time, jerry lee lewisand gets his own story, from the source, for the very first time. The words on the page perfectly match the music and the man roddy doyle author of paddy clarke ha ha ha no one in rock and roll has ever made music and lived life with the ferocity of jerry lee lewis, and no writer is better suited than rick bragg to tell lewis s story.
Rich with lewis s own words, framed by bragg s richly atmospheric narrative, this is the last great untold rockandroll story, come to life on the page. Rick bragg gives jerry lee lewis his say usa today. His own story by rick bragg is a 2014 harper publication. Rich with lewis own words, framed by braggs richly atmospheric narrative, this is the last great untold rockandroll story, come to life on the page. Jerry lee lewis by rick bragg used good world of books. His own story, biographer rick bragg notes that the songs lewis was recording were of the kind they were starting to call hard country, not because it had a rock beat or crossed over into rock in a real way, but because it was more. His own story and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Rick braggs writing is about the only thing i really liked in this book. Rick bragg talks about his jerry lee lewis biography youtube. Rick bragg returns with dynamic biography of jerry lee lewis. Rich with lewiss own words, framed by braggs richly atmospheric narrative, this is the last great. Bragg successfully grasps the meaning of jerry lee lewis and the music he begat all about jazz there are reams of books out there about the killer, but this is the one you want.
Jerry lee lewis his own story by rick bragg paperback 9780857861597 published by canongate 4 june 2015. The story of jerry lee lewis has inspired songs and articles, books and films, but in these pages rick bragg restores a human complexity missing from other. Pulitzer prizewinning author rick bragg returns to biography territory oct. The result is a story of fire and faith and resilience, informed by rick bragg s deep understanding of the american spirit, and rich with jerry lee s own unforgettable voice. Sep 30, 2014 writer rick bragg, while spending some time at his home in fairhope, ala. For nearly sixty years, jerry lee lewis has been a monumental figure in american life. Oct 27, 2014 when you interview jerry lee lewis, you go into it assuming some questions could get you shot. His own story at miami book fair international 2014.
Rick bragg s biography of jerry lee lewis really is the business. Thanks to amazons excellent service the book arrived yesterday morning at 11am and it now 3pm on the following day and it has taken me almost every hour since to read it. Rich with lewiss own words, framed by braggs richly atmospheric narrative, this is the last great untold rockandroll story, come to life on the page. Rick bragg books list of books by author rick bragg. Bragg s thick and entertaining book indicates that jerry lee, like many of us, has cause to hope the good lord grades on a generous curve. Rick bragg born july 26, 1959 is an american journalist and writer known for nonfiction books, especially those about his family in alabama. The story of jerry lee lewis has inspired songs and articles, books and films, but in these pages rick bragg restores a human complexity missing from other accounts. Well when jamie, owner of turnrow books introduced rick bragg and spoke of his latest writing project, he referenced that the collaboration between rick and jerry lee lewis was a perfect combo a great mississippi icon and great writer. A pulitzer prizewinning reporter formerly with the new york times, rick bragg hit the bestseller charts with his first book, all over but the shoutin, his account of breaking free from the poverty of his youth and finding success at the pinnacle of american journalism. Jerry lee lewis his own story came out to critical acclaim.
Written by jerry lee lewis, rick bragg, audiobook narrated by john pruden. Rick braggs conversations with jerry lee lewis form the backbone of the authors new book, jerry lee lewis. The wildest and most dangerous of the early rock and rollers. Signin to download and listen to this audiobook today. Jerry lee lewis is quite simply one of the best books about rock and roll ever. Rich with lewis own words, framed by bragg s richly atmospheric narrative, this is the last great untold rockandroll story, come to life on the page. Jerry lee lewis born september 29, 1935 is an american singersongwriter, musician, and pianist, often known by his nickname, the killer. Jerry lee lewis his own story by rick bragg i have just finished reading this 500 page book by professor rick bragg. Rick bragg on jerry lee lewis at 2014 miami book fair.
His own story harper, which follows the singer from an upbringing steeped in religion to wild nights on the road with the first heroes of rock and roll to. See more ideas about author, jerry lee lewis and how to memorize things. Bullets play an important role in jerry lee lewis, starting at the very beginning. Writer rick bragg, while spending some time at his home in fairhope, ala. Bragg, writing closely with lewis, offers this rollicking, incendiary tale of the man who kickstarted rock and roll and blazed a fiery trail strewn. Rick bragg s conversations with jerry lee lewis form the backbone of the author s new book, jerry lee lewis. An iconic rocker receives a warm, admiring biography from a pulitzer prizewinning journalist and author. Theres plenty of richness in rick bragg s retelling of the killers life. Jerry lee lewis is one of the most colorful characters is musical history and perhaps also one of the most misunderstood as well. What did rick bragg keep out of the jerry lee lewis book. Rick bragg braved the gun and lewis intimidating reputation to write jerry lee lewis. Despite the title of jerry lee lewiss 2006 album last man standing, a few other survivors from rocks early days still remain. His own story by rick bragg 2014 1028 rick bragg on.
His own story is the killers life as he lived it and as he shared it over two years with our greatest bard of southern life, rick bragg. Jerry lee lewis with left to right carl perkins, elvis presley and johnny cash in the jam session at sun records that became known as the million dollar quartet, 4 december 1956. Nov 24, 2014 the greatest southern storyteller of our time, new york times bestselling author rick bragg, tracks down the greatest rock and roller of all time, jerry lee lewisand gets his own story, from. Jerry lee lewis pioneered rock n roll music and might be the most interesting american rock icon in the history of the medium.
It is a misconception, jerry lee lewis tells the author of this authorised biography, that he. Jerry lee lewis was a louisianaborn supernova who helped create rock n roll and raced toward stardom in the 1950s until his marriage. Rick bragg on jerry lee lewis at 2014 miami book fair youtube. Rich fahle interviews author rick bragg about his biography, jerry lee lewis. Nov 20, 2014 well when jamie, owner of turnrow books introduced rick bragg and spoke of his latest writing project, he referenced that the collaboration between rick and jerry lee lewis was a perfect combo a great mississippi icon and great writer. Worth reading stephen king rick bragg s biography of jerry lee lewis really is the business. His own story is the killers life as he lived it, and as he shared it over two years with. Dec 26, 2014 braggs thick and entertaining book indicates that jerry lee, like many of us, has cause to hope the good lord grades on a generous curve.
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