One of the great heroes of The New Sincerity is profiled in PopMatters: Jerry Lee Lewis.
In ’57, with Sun founder Sam Phillips manning the dials, Jerry Lee recorded “Whole Lotta Shakin'” which eventually rose to the top of the country and R&B charts. Later that year, he cut “Great Balls of Fire”, a rumbling, crudely suggestive rock ditty penned by black tunesmith Otis Blackwell. The song, in all its immortal stomping glory, still sounds wondrous today. And the title itself pretty much encapsulates the whole of Jerry Lee’s public existence.
The rock of the 50’s is absolutely FILLED with New Sincerity. Can you imagine what it must have been like, in 1957, to see Jerry Lee Lewis? Or Little Richard? It boggles my mind.
My dad listened to Ray Charles records in his basement, with the speakers turned off, by putting his ear next to the needle. He hid the 45s in his bed.
And to see the Killer? Unbelievable.
By the way, if you’ve never heard “Live at the Star Club,” it’s amazing.