Jerry Lee Lewis Shoots Down Reports He’s Dead At 87 – ‘It’s Bulls***!’

The country music legend Jerry Lee Lewis is firing back through his representative to shoot down reports that he’s died at the age of 87, saying that he is very much alive.

‘He’s Alive’

TMZ initially reported that Lewis had passed away on Wednesday, then it retracted this hours later. The publication alleged that someone claiming to be Lewis’ representative had mistakenly informed them that he had died. 

“He’s alive. TMZ reported erroneously off of a bulls–t anonymous tip,” Lewis’ real representative told Page Six.

Find out more about this in the video below.

Daily Mail reported that this came after fears grew for Lewis’ health when he had to miss his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame after coming down with the flu.

“On Sunday, Jerry Lee Lewis was finally inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame,” read a post on his Facebook page last week. “The legendary Jerry Lee was too ill with the flu to attend the ceremony.”

The “Great Balls Of Fire” singer’s management team took to social media to share a photo of him being given his award by Kris Kristofferson, who accepted it on his behalf. In the caption of the photo, Lewis expressed his “heartfelt sadness and disappointment” that he could not accept the award in person.

Related: Jerry Lee Lewis Will Finally Be Inducted Into Country Music Hall Of Fame

‘My Sincerest Apologies’

“It is with heartfelt sadness and disappointment that I write to you today from my sick bed, rather than be able to share my thoughts in person,” read Lewis’ note. “I tried everything I could to build up the strength to come today – I’ve looked so forward to it since I found out about it earlier this year. My sincerest apologies to all of you for missing this fine event, but I hope to see you all soon.”

“To be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame is the highest honor in Country music,” he continued. “Through over 60 years singing music professionally, country has always been the genre where I felt the most at home – between my fellow artists, the radio and the industry players — some of them anyway.”

Lewis went on to say that he is “honored” to be in the Country Music Hall of Fame with some of his “heroes,” specifically mentioning Hank Williams Sr. and Jimmie Rodgers as people whom he is proud to be beside in this hall of fame. 

“Thank you all for your support and love and for electing me into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and most of all, thanks to God for allowing me to experience this honor while I am still here,” he concluded. “Since I could not be in-person with you today, I have asked one of my closest and dearest friends to accept this great honor for me – and he’s no stranger to this process: the legendary, Kris Kristofferson.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Jerry Lee Lewis (@jerryleelewisthekiller)

Related: The Crowd Went Wild As Jerry Lee Lewis Performed “Great Balls Of Fire”

Lewis’ History

Lewis launched his music career in 1957 with the hit song “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” and iconic singers like Mick Jagger, Elvis Presley, and Paul McCartney have said that he was their musical inspiration.

“Jerry Lee Lewis is a pioneer who introduced the world to a whole new level of showmanship,” Jagger once said. 

Lewis was previously inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame back in 1986. He’s suffered other health problems in recent years, suffering a stroke in 2019, according to Entertainment Weekly. Lewis appeared to recover from this, as the next year, he revealed plans to team up with the producer T-Bone Burnett on a gospel album. It seems that the COVID-19 pandemic may have derailed this album, however. 

We’re glad to see that reports of his death were greatly exaggerated, and we hope that he gets fully healthy again as soon as possible!