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Country Music - General & Miscellaneous, Traditional Rock - General & Miscellaneous, Rock Music - Biography, Pop, Rock, & Soul Musicians - Biography, Country & Folk Musicians - Biography
Hellfire: The Jerry Lee Lewis Story by Nick Tosches β€” book cover

Hellfire: The Jerry Lee Lewis Story

by Nick Tosches
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Overview

Born in Louisiana to a family legacy of great courage and greater madness, Jerry Lee was torn throughout his life between a harsh Pentecostal God and the Devil of alcohol, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. He began performing publicly at fourteen, and at twenty-one he recorded "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," which propelled him to stardom. Almost immediately, news of his marriage to his thirteen-year-old cousin all but destroyed his career. Over the next twenty years, Jerry Lee, ever indomitable and ever wild, would rise again as a country star, and then lose it all again to his own inner demons.

Synopsis

Born in Louisiana to a family legacy of great courage and greater madness, Jerry Lee was torn throughout his life between a harsh Pentecostal God and the Devil of alcohol, drugs, and rock 'n' roll. He began performing publicly at fourteen, and at twenty-one he recorded "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On," which propelled him to stardom. Almost immediately, news of his marriage to his thirteen-year-old cousin all but destroyed his career. Over the next twenty years, Jerry Lee, ever indomitable and ever wild, would rise again as a country star, and then lose it all again to his own inner demons.

Boston Globe

Tosches' book is a work of art.

About the Author, Nick Tosches

A journalist who has also written three novels, Nick Tosches is an acclaimed biographer whose unconventional books -- Dino and The Devil and Sonny Liston among them -- illuminate some of America's more controversial, overshadowed talents.

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Editorials

Boston Globe

Tosches' book is a work of art.

Esquire

The book is undeniably a feat β€” turning a sordid, tormented life into a rousing piece of poetic expressionism.

Philadelphia Inquirer

Hellfire sets a new standard.

Rolling Stone

Quite simply the best rock and roll biography ever written.

Esquire

The book is undeniably a feat -- turning a sordid, tormented life into a rousing piece of poetic expressionism.

Newsday

The best rock 'n' roll biography ever written....There is a novelistic intensity to this story of scandal, tragedy, triumph and love....Riveting.

The Boston Globe

Tosches' book is a work of art.

The Philadelphia Inquirer

Hellfire sets a new standard.

Book Details

Published
April 1, 1998
Publisher
Grove/Atlantic, Inc.
Pages
304
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9780802135667

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