Donald Trump hails the late Jerry Lee Lewis as a ‘genuine mass of talent’ | Celebrities

Donald Trump paid a touching tribute to the late Jerry Lee Lewis.

A former president of the United States has described the “beloved” Great Balls of Fire hitmaker, who died of natural causes aged 87 on Friday (28/10/22), as a “real bundle of talent”.

In a statement released by his office, he wrote: “Jerry Lee Lewis was loved by all, a true bundle of talent, energy and everything else needed to be a star. He just died. Our warmest wishes to his wife Judith and family. He will be missed!”

The rock ‘n’ roll pioneer passed away peacefully at his home in DeSoto County, Mississippi.

Zach Farnum, a spokesman for the iconic star, said: “Judith, his seventh wife, was by his side when he died at his home in Dessato County, Mississippi, south of Memphis.

“In his last days, he told her he welcomed the future and was not afraid.”

The controversial star rose to fame in the 1950s, and his popularity helped establish rock ‘n’ roll as the dominant musical genre in the US for a decade.

Lewis released his debut album – which included the hit single “High School Confidential” – in 1958.

However, his career was soon derailed by the news that he was married to his 13-year-old cousin Myra Brown.

The scandal happened at the height of his fame, leading to the cancellation of his UK tour. The chart-topping star has also been blacklisted by US radio stations and concert promoters.

Lewis subsequently became notorious for his drinking, drug use and womanizing.

In 2010, he said: “I did crazy things. I screwed up along the way and got what was coming to me.”

Despite this, he managed to resurrect his music career by switching from rock and roll to country music, and subsequently enjoyed a string of chart successes.

Lewis, whose death was erroneously reported by some outlets on Wednesday (26.10.22), was actually one of the first 10 artists inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.

The “Breathless” hitmaker has also won four Grammy Awards in his career and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame earlier this year.