Jerry Lee Lewis, the piano-pounding, foot-stomping singer who electrified early rock 'n' roll with hits like "Great Balls of Fire" and "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" before marital scandal derailed his career, has died, according to a statement from his representative, Zach Farnum. He was 87.

Along with Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley and others, Lewis was one of the leading figures of the 1950s rock era and a master showman whose raw, uninhibited performances drove young fans into spasmodic fits. 

But offstage, the singer's personal life was turbulent. Lewis was near the peak of his popularity in 1958 when the public learned that he had married Myra Gale Brown, his first cousin. She was 13 at the time; Lewis was 22. 

From left, Lewis joins Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash for a one-night jam session in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1956. The recording at Sun Studios was called the Million Dollar Quartet, and it became a seminal moment in rock history.
From left, Lewis joins Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash for a one-night jam session in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1956. The recording at Sun Studios was called the Million Dollar Quartet, and it became a seminal moment in rock history.
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By 1957, thanks to hits such as "Great Balls of Fire," Lewis was internationally famous. But his incendiary style and suggestive lyrics led some radio stations to boycott his songs.
By 1957, thanks to hits such as "Great Balls of Fire," Lewis was internationally famous. But his incendiary style and suggestive lyrics led some radio stations to boycott his songs.
Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Lewis, right, performs in Memphis in 1957. He was born in Ferriday, Louisiana, in 1935. His website says he began playing the piano at age 9, following the styles of preachers and Black musicians who passed through the region.
Lewis, right, performs in Memphis in 1957. He was born in Ferriday, Louisiana, in 1935. His website says he began playing the piano at age 9, following the styles of preachers and Black musicians who passed through the region.
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Lewis gives an enthusiastic performance at the Cafe de Paris in New York in 1958.
Lewis gives an enthusiastic performance at the Cafe de Paris in New York in 1958.
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Lewis is seen with his third wife, Myra, in 1958. He was near the peak of his popularity when the public learned that he had married Myra Gale Brown, his first cousin. She was 13 at the time; Lewis was 22. News of the marriage leaked in London, where Lewis had flown to play some concerts. Lewis told the press that Myra was 15, but the truth soon came out and caused an outcry, as newspapers blared such headlines as "Fans Aghast at Child Bride." Audiences heckled Lewis, and the tour was canceled after three shows.
Lewis is seen with his third wife, Myra, in 1958. He was near the peak of his popularity when the public learned that he had married Myra Gale Brown, his first cousin. She was 13 at the time; Lewis was 22. News of the marriage leaked in London, where Lewis had flown to play some concerts. Lewis told the press that Myra was 15, but the truth soon came out and caused an outcry, as newspapers blared such headlines as "Fans Aghast at Child Bride." Audiences heckled Lewis, and the tour was canceled after three shows.
Gamma-Keystone/Getty Images
Lewis plays the piano for Myra in New York.
Lewis plays the piano for Myra in New York.
Tom Baffer/NY Daily News Archive/Getty Images
Lewis signs immigration cards with Myra, right, and his sister Jean as they leave London to come back to the United States in 1958.
Lewis signs immigration cards with Myra, right, and his sister Jean as they leave London to come back to the United States in 1958.
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Lewis and Myra get set for a motorcycle ride in 1958.
Lewis and Myra get set for a motorcycle ride in 1958.
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Lewis listens to a show with Myra before entertaining a crowd in 1962.
Lewis listens to a show with Myra before entertaining a crowd in 1962.
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Lewis in 1966. He continued to record and tour in the 1960s, but his rockabilly music didn't sell in the Beatles era and he couldn't regain the popularity of his early years -- until he made an unlikely comeback as a country singer.
Lewis in 1966. He continued to record and tour in the 1960s, but his rockabilly music didn't sell in the Beatles era and he couldn't regain the popularity of his early years -- until he made an unlikely comeback as a country singer.
Dezo Hoffman/Shutterstock
Lewis' most enduring legacy may have been his unhinged piano-playing style, which influenced Elton John and many other musicians. During concerts Lewis banged the keys with his fists and elbows, kicked over his piano stool, climbed atop his instrument and once even set it on fire.
Lewis' most enduring legacy may have been his unhinged piano-playing style, which influenced Elton John and many other musicians. During concerts Lewis banged the keys with his fists and elbows, kicked over his piano stool, climbed atop his instrument and once even set it on fire.
Larry Hulst/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images
Lewis enjoys a cigar and a drink backstage in London in 1972.
Lewis enjoys a cigar and a drink backstage in London in 1972.
Steve Wood/Hulton Archive/Getty Images
Lewis was raised in a strict, religious household and sometimes struggled to reconcile his faith in God with his love of rock 'n' roll, which conservative listeners in the 1950s condemned as "the devil's music."
Lewis was raised in a strict, religious household and sometimes struggled to reconcile his faith in God with his love of rock 'n' roll, which conservative listeners in the 1950s condemned as "the devil's music."
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In 1976, Lewis was arrested by Memphis police and charged with public drunkenness and gun possession. He was arrested in the early hours of the morning after drunkenly crashing his car into the gates of Presley's Graceland estate.
In 1976, Lewis was arrested by Memphis police and charged with public drunkenness and gun possession. He was arrested in the early hours of the morning after drunkenly crashing his car into the gates of Presley's Graceland estate.
Donaldson Collection/Archive Photos/Getty Images
From left, Cash, Perkins and Lewis hang out together at a show in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1982. After a decade of dwindling sales, Lewis reinvented himself in the late 1960s as a country artist and revived his career.
From left, Cash, Perkins and Lewis hang out together at a show in Madison, Wisconsin, in 1982. After a decade of dwindling sales, Lewis reinvented himself in the late 1960s as a country artist and revived his career.
Paul Natkin/Archive Photos/Getty Images
Lewis lounges on a couch inside a dressing room in 1982.
Lewis lounges on a couch inside a dressing room in 1982.
Thomas S England/The Chronicle Collection/Getty Images
Lewis weds Shawn Michelle Stevens at his home in Nesbit, Mississippi, in 1983. Lewis was married seven times.
Lewis weds Shawn Michelle Stevens at his home in Nesbit, Mississippi, in 1983. Lewis was married seven times.
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Lewis plays the piano at his home in Mississippi in 1999.
Lewis plays the piano at his home in Mississippi in 1999.
Marc Morrison/Redux
Lewis lights his favorite pipe in his dressing room backstage in Highland, California, in 2005.
Lewis lights his favorite pipe in his dressing room backstage in Highland, California, in 2005.
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Lewis performs at the Terre Neuvas festival in Bobital, France, in 2006.
Lewis performs at the Terre Neuvas festival in Bobital, France, in 2006.
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Lewis performs in New York City in 2009.
Lewis performs in New York City in 2009.
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Lewis poses with his seventh wife, Judith, in 2015.
Lewis poses with his seventh wife, Judith, in 2015.
David McClister/The Guardian/eyevine/Redux
Lewis performs in Cerritos, California, in 2018.
Lewis performs in Cerritos, California, in 2018.
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Lewis plays in Sarasota, Florida, in 2019.
Lewis plays in Sarasota, Florida, in 2019.
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Lewis sits for a picture at the Country Music Hall of Fame after it was announced in May 2022 that he would be inducted as a member. He was unable to attend the ceremony in October because he was ill with the flu, according to a statement posted to his social media.
Lewis sits for a picture at the Country Music Hall of Fame after it was announced in May 2022 that he would be inducted as a member. He was unable to attend the ceremony in October because he was ill with the flu, according to a statement posted to his social media.
Mark Humphrey/AP