Rock 'n' roll great Jerry Lee Lewis dies

The US musician, whose hits included Great Balls of Fire and Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On, was one of the last survivors of a generation of groundbreaking performers that included Elvis Presley and Little Richard.

Lewis, nicknamed "The Killer", died at his home in Desoto County, Mississippi, south of Memphis with his wife Judith by his side, his publicist announced on Friday.

Following his death, global stars including Elton John, Ronnie Wood and Ringo Starr paid tribute to his "trailblazing inspiration" in the world of music.

Announcing the news, his publicist Zach Farnum said: "Lewis, perhaps the last true, great icon of the birth of rock'n'roll, whose marriage of blues, gospel, country, honky-tonk and raw, pounding stage performances so threatened a young Elvis Presley that it made him cry, has died.

"He was there at the beginning, with Elvis, Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Carl Perkins, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly, and the rest, and watched them fade away one by one till it was him alone to bear witness, and sing of the birth of rock'n'roll."

Lewis was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame's first class in 1986.

Born in 1935 in Ferriday, Louisiana, Lewis later moved to Memphis, Tennessee, where he found work as a studio musician for Sun Studios.

Emerging as one of rock music's early showmen in the 1950s, his music went on to be a hit in the pop, country and R&B charts.

He also became known for his stage antics, such as playing standing up and even lighting the occasional piano on fire.

However, in 1958 his status came crashing down after the media learnt he had married his 13-year-old cousin Myra Gale Brown while he was touring in Britain. The tour was cancelled and he was blacklisted from the radio.

Over the following decades, Lewis struggled with drug and alcohol abuse, legal disputes, illness and many divorces.

Lewis reinvented himself as a country performer in the 1960s, and the music industry appeared to forgive him as he rose to prominence again.

Paying tribute to Lewis, Elton John said: "Without Jerry Lee Lewis, I wouldn't have become who I am today."

The veteran musician, who has previously cited Lewis as an influence for his love of the piano, added: "He was groundbreaking and exciting, and he pulverised the piano.

"A brilliant singer too. Thank you for your trailblazing inspiration and all the rock 'n' roll memories."

Wood posted a series of photos of him alongside the late musician on Twitter. The Rolling Stones guitarist wrote: "R.I.P. JLL the Killer- What a man."

The Beatles' Ringo Starr posted: "God bless Jerry lee Lewis peace and love to all his family Ringo."

KISS star Gene Simmons tweeted: "Sadly, One of the pioneers of rock 'n' roll has passed. A rebel to the end. RIP, Jerry Lee Lewis."

Australian Associated Press