Jerry Lee Lewis: His Own Story(157)

To Sam Phillips: He gave me a chance when nobody else would. Sam didn’t care where you came from or what instrument you played, as long as your music moved him . . . and I always moved him!

I have to thank Steve Allen, the man who put me on television and made “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” an overnight hit, and made me a nationwide star.

To my friend, Bud Chittom, the owner of Jerry Lee Lewis’s Café and Honky Tonk in Memphis. Thanks for making my club a reality and for encouraging me to do this book.

Thanks to J. W. Whitten, who has been my road manager, my sidekick, and my friend for more than forty years. He always believed in me.

To my manager, Greg Ericson, who truly cares for me, and works hard every day to get my business in order and to keep me on the road playing for my thousands of fans around the world. Thank you.

To Cal Morgan, my editor, and Erin Hosier (Pippi Longstocking), my book agent, who got this book deal done and pushed me just hard enough to finish it . . . on time.

To my staff at the ranch, Janet, Michelle, and Seth, thanks for keeping everything running so smoothly, even with my crazy schedule. And to all the animals I have had in my life, thanks for making me smile and for the unconditional love.

To my adopted son, Steve Bing, a man of true character, who came to my aid when I felt like the whole world was against me. Steve cares for me as a person and loves my music as much as I do. He knew I had a few more songs in me and got me back in the studio. He is a great producer and a real friend. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I need to thank Hank Williams, Jimmie Rodgers, Moon Mullican, Al Jolson, and all the other great performers who inspired me; and to the hundreds of wonderful songwriters and musicians I have played with, recorded with, and toured with. I wish I had enough time to do it all over again.

And, finally, to all my adoring fans who have stuck with me for all these years, and who keep me on the piano stool. I promise that I will keep rockin’ for you as long as I can!


For their generous help in supplying photographs and other materials, special thanks to Jerry Lee Lewis, Judith Coghlan Lewis, the Concordia Sentinel, Bill Millar, Colin Escott, Kay Martin, Pierre Pennone, Robert Prokop, Graham Knight, Bob Gruen, Raeanne Rubenstein, Christopher R. Harris, Steve Roberts, Frankie Jean Lewis, Linda Gail Lewis, and the Ericson Group, Inc.