George Croft’s American Music Show

GCAMS Episode 19: Jerry Lee Lewis

Jerry Lee Lewis (September 29, 1935 – October 28, 2022) was a pivotal figure in rock 'n' roll, known for his wild piano-playing, energetic performances, and controversial life. A key participant in the 1956 Million Dollar Quartet session, here’s a concise overview:
### Early Life and Rise- **Born**: Ferriday, Louisiana, in a poor, religious family.- **Musical Roots**: Learned piano young, blending gospel, country, and blues from church, radio, and local juke joints.- **Sun Records**: Moved to Memphis in 1956, signed with Sam Phillips’ Sun Studio, where he joined peers like Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Carl Perkins.
### Career Highlights- **Breakout Hits** (1957-58):  - "Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On" and "Great Balls of Fire" became iconic, showcasing his frenetic piano style and rebellious energy.  - Known for theatrical live shows, including setting pianos on fire.- **Million Dollar Quartet**: On December 4, 1956, Lewis, then a session musician, jammed with Elvis, Cash, and Perkins at Sun Studio, contributing to the legendary recordings.- **Later Career**:  - Shifted to country music in the 1960s, scoring hits like "What’s Made Milwaukee Famous."  - Continued performing into his 80s, with a final album, *Rock & Roll Time* (2014).- **Awards**: Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2005), inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1986), and Country Music Hall of Fame (2022).
### Controversial Life- **Marriage Scandal**: In 1958, his career tanked after marrying his 13-year-old cousin, Myra Gale Brown, causing public backlash and tour cancellations.- **Personal Struggles**: Faced tax issues, drug and alcohol addiction, and multiple marriages (seven total).- **Legal Troubles**: Incidents included arrests for gun possession and driving under the influence.
### Legacy- **Influence**: Nicknamed "The Killer," Lewis helped define rock 'n' roll’s raw energy and piano-driven sound, influencing artists like Elton John and Billy Joel.- **Cultural Impact**: His life inspired the 1989 film *Great Balls of Fire!* starring Dennis Quaid.- **Million Dollar Quartet**: His role in the session highlighted his versatility, playing gospel and blues
Key Facts-  Combined boogie-woogie piano with a fiery stage presence.-Nickname Origin: "The Killer" came from his bold personality and performance intensity.-Longevity: Performed for over six decades, blending rock, country, and gospel.
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GCAMS Episode 18: Jim Croce

Jim Croce (January 10, 1943 – September 20, 1973) was an American folk and rock singer-songwriter born in South Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Raised in a middle-class Italian-American family, he developed an early interest in music, learning guitar and performing in local bands. After graduating from Villanova University in 1965, Croce pursued music full-time, playing gigs in coffeehouses and small venues. His breakthrough came with the 1972 album *You Don’t Mess Around with Jim*, featuring hits like “Time in a Bottle” and the title track. Known for his soulful voice, storytelling lyrics, and blend of folk, rock, and blues, Croce released three albums, including *Life and Times* and *I Got a Name*. Tragically, he died in a plane crash at age 30, just as his career was peaking. His music remains influential, with “Time in a Bottle” and “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” enduring as classics.

GCAMS Episode 17: John Prine

John Prine (October 10, 1946 – April 7, 2020) was an American singer-songwriter known for his poignant, witty, and heartfelt folk and country music. Born in Maywood, Illinois, he began his career in the early 1970s Chicago folk scene, gaining acclaim with his self-titled debut album featuring songs like "Sam Stone" and "Angel from Montgomery." His conversational style and keen storytelling captured the human condition with humor and empathy, earning him a devoted following and praise as a "songwriter's songwriter." Over five decades, Prine released 19 studio albums, won multiple Grammy Awards, and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He died in 2020 from COVID-19 complications, leaving a lasting legacy in American music.

GCAMS Episode 16: Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys

Brian Wilson, born June 20, 1942, in Inglewood, California, is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer, best known as the co-founder and creative force behind The Beach Boys. Raised in Hawthorne, California, he showed early musical talent, influenced by his father, Murry Wilson, and 1950s vocal groups like The Four Freshmen. With brothers Dennis and Carl, cousin Mike Love, and friend Al Jardine, he formed The Beach Boys in 1961, crafting their signature surf rock sound with hits like "Surfin' USA" and "I Get Around."
Wilson's genius shone in the mid-1960s with intricate harmonies and innovative production. The 1966 album *Pet Sounds*, a landmark in pop music, showcased his ambition, though it initially confused fans and bandmates. His work on the follow-up project, *SMiLE*, was derailed by mental health struggles, drug use, and band tensions, leading to its shelving (until its completion in 2004). By the late 1960s, Wilson’s mental health deteriorated, exacerbated by schizophrenia diagnoses, substance abuse, and his father’s domineering influence. He withdrew from the band, spending years in isolation, often under the controversial care of psychologist Eugene Landy.
Wilson staged comebacks in the 1980s and 1990s, releasing a solo album in 1988 and resuming sporadic Beach Boys tours. In 2004, he completed *SMiLE* as a solo project, earning critical acclaim. Despite ongoing health challenges, he continued performing and recording, with his life depicted in the 2014 biopic *Love & Mercy*. Married twice, with seven children, Wilson remains a revered figure in music, celebrated for revolutionizing pop production and enduring personal adversity.

GCAMS Episode 15: Keith Whitley

In this episode we dive into the tragically short life and career of Kieth Whitley. Enjoy!

GCAMS Episode 14: Tammy Wynette

In this episode we dive into the life and career of Tammy Wynette. Enjoy!

GCAMS Episode 13: Acuff Rose Publishing Company

In this episode we dive into a brief history of the Acuff Rose Publishing Company and it's giant impact on the early music industry in Nashville. Enjoy!

GCAMS Episode 12: Kris Kristofferson

In this weeks episode we dive into the life and career of Kris Kristofferson. Enjoy!

GCAMS Episode 11: Waylon Jennings

In this weeks episode we dive into the life and career of Waylon Jennings. Enjoy!

GCAMS Episode 10: George Jones

In this week's episode we dive into the life and career of George Jones. Enjoy!