How Jerry Lee Lewis’ career was ruined when he married his 13-year-old cousin

Rock ’n’ roll pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis — who handed away at 87 on Friday, simply two days after his loss of life was erroneously reported by TMZ — had a complete lotta lovin’ happening, getting married seven occasions.

However it was then-22-year-old Lewis’ third marriage to Myra Gale Brown — his first cousin as soon as eliminated — when she was simply 13 that actually rocked his profession. The following scandal led to boycotts of his music, blacklisting at venues and look charges that plummeted from $10,000 an evening to $250.

Goodness gracious, certainly.

The “Nice Balls of Fireplace” singer — recognized for his boogie-woogie piano taking part in — married Brown on Dec. 12, 1957. On the time, his younger bride, who was 9 years his junior, nonetheless believed in Santa Claus. And Lewis even moved in along with his spouse’s dad and mom after their wedding ceremony.

When the newlyweds went to England on Lewis’ first European tour, he lied about his new spouse’s age, telling the British press that she was 15. However when the reality was found, he was labeled a “cradle robber” and “child snatcher” by the UK media, with one paper suggesting that Lewis be deported.

Jerry Lee Lewis and Myra Gale Brown
Jerry Lee Lewis moved in with Myra Gale Brown’s dad and mom after marrying her when she was simply 13.
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The scandal adopted Lewis again to the US. In the meantime, it turned out that his second marriage to Jane Mitchum had not but been finalized earlier than he wed Brown, so the couple obtained rehitched in one other ceremony on June 4, 1958. And Lewis even had an open letter printed in Billboard that he hoped would validate their relationship.

For his half, the Rock & Roll Corridor of Famer didn’t perceive all of the uproar. “I plumb married the lady, didn’t I?” he advised one reporter.

Jerry Lee Lewis and Myra Gale Brown
In 1970, Myra Gale Brown filed for divorce from Jerry Lee Lewis on the grounds of adultery and abuse.
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Lewis and Brown went on to have two kids, Steve and Phoebe, however after the entire controversy, theirs wouldn't find yourself being a blissful union. In 1970, she filed for divorce on the grounds of adultery and abuse, claiming that she had been “topic to each sort of bodily and psychological abuse conceivable.”

The rock legend went on to get married 4 extra occasions, tying the knot in 2012 along with his seventh and last spouse, Judith Lewis — who additionally occurred to be the ex-wife of Brown’s brother.

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