A spokesperson for the rock and roll legend insists that the 'Great Balls of Fire' singer is still 'alive' despite bizarre report claiming he had passed away at 87.
- Oct 27, 2022
AceShowbiz - Jerry Lee Lewis is thankfully not dead. Fans were shaken up after a report on Wednesday, October 26 claimed that the rock and roll legend had passed away at age 87, but that turns out to be nothing more than a hoax.
Debunking the false report, Jerry's publicist Zach Farnum tells EW in a statement that "he's alive." The spokesperson goes on slamming the bogus report, "TMZ reported erroneously off of a bulls**t anonymous tip."
Earlier in the afternoon, TMZ published the shocking report that the "High School Confidential" hitmaker had died at his home in Memphis. The news outlet has since deleted its original article and published a retraction.
"Jerry Lee Lewis is not dead ... as we previously reported," the site's new article read. "Earlier today we were told by someone claiming to be Lewis' rep that he had passed. That turned out not to be the case. TMZ regrets the error."
Jerry had been dealing with health issues recently, which likely led to the death speculation. Last week, a post on his Instagram account revealed that he was "too ill with the flu to attend" celebrations of his recent induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Instead, his close friend and singer Kris Kristofferson accepted the honor on his behalf.
"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," he said in the statement issued on October 19. "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. I am honored to be going into that Hall of Fame rotunda with some of my heroes - Hank Williams Sr., Jimmie Rodgers and the like - not to mention so many amazing friends who have been so good to me through the years."
