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List Price: $24.98 | | Label: Pioneer
Salesrank: 155846
Released: July 8, 1998 |
| Our Price: $14.82 |
| Used Price: $7.00 |
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MPAA Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Media: DVD |
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Editorial Review:
The Story of Rock and Roll would not be complete without a heavy dose of Jerry Lee Lewis. This exceptional show includes Jerry Lee live at the Toronto Peace Festival and his performances on the "Steve Allen Show" and "Shindig". Includes Lewis hits such as Highschool Confidential, Great Balls of Fire, Hound Dog, Whole Lotta Shakin', Don't Be Cruel, You Win Again, Breathless, I Got A Woman, I'm On Fire, I Believe In You, Mystery Train, and Jailhouse Rock. Legendary filmmaker D. A. Pennebaker wraps the performances around a chronicle of Jerry Lee's tumultuous life and career.
Description of Jerry Lee Lewis - The Story of Rock and Roll:
The title is something of a misnomer: not only is this not the story of rock & roll, it's not even the story of Jerry Lee Lewis, at least not the complete one. But this film is still a captivating glance at one of rock's seminal figures. It's partly the work of D.A. Pennebaker, who was also responsible for Bob Dylan's Don't Look Back, but you won't find the kind of trenchant revelation contained in that film. The Story of Rock & Roll balances 1969 concert footage (when Lewis appeared at a rock revival show in Toronto) with clips from his breakthrough '50s years. The '69 show finds Lewis performing not only his own tunes (including, of course, "Great Balls of Fire" and "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On") but also several songs much more closely associated with Elvis Presley ("Don't Be Cruel," "Hound Dog," "Jailhouse Rock").
It's entertaining, but it lacks the pure outrage of the early days when "the Killer" made his name with both those classic hits and his marriage to his 13-year-old cousin (apparently while he was still married to someone else). The latter is amusingly chronicled here by way of accounts of his late-'50s trip to England, when reports of his alleged bigamy and cradle-robbing led to much booing and the early cancellation of the tour; Lewis then appears on screen with his gum-chewing child bride, innocently enthusing about the "very nice time" they had abroad. Those clips, along with the sheer, unbridled energy of both Lewis and his audience during his early TV appearances, are themselves worth the price of admission. --Sam Graham
Jerry Lee Lewis - The Story of Rock and Roll Reviews:
Lousy production values ruin promising project... 
2009-07-02 - I am a huge Jerry Lee Lewis fan, and it's with reluctance
I don't recommend this dvd. I have often wondered why
D.A. Pennebaker's fim of the 1969 Toronto Rock 'n Roll
Revival Peace Festival has never been released as a whole.
Now I know why, bad sound. Of course the sound of
the live performances is great compared to the sound
of the archaic video clips interspersed among the live
performances. While watching this dvd I constantly had
to adjust the volume. The sound of the old video clips
is way below that of the live segments. As for the live
performances you get barely audible piano on most
songs, tinny guitar, and too much bass. Only the
drums seem to have been recorded properly. As for
Jerry's performance I would say it's about average for
that time period. There are other dvds of this festival,
one with Little Richard, and the recently released
John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band, all using Pennebaker's
film footage. After watching this dvd, I will probably
pass them up. If you want to see Jerry in his prime,
get the Austin City Limits 1983 show on dvd.
a great portrait of Jerry Jee Lewis 
2008-11-04 - A perfect piece for my rock&roll DVD collection.
Had no problems with the seller. :)
Best Video So Far
2007-02-03 - I've just "discovered" Jerry Lee Lewis since getting the "Last Man Standing" CD. I have always known of his existence, but not much of his music. I recently got this DVD and I have to agree with the reviewer that said it was a "truly orgasmic experience". This man was hot back in 1969. He is incredible. My only wish is that it would have been about 3 hours longer. Now all I want is more Jerry Lee. Wow. What a show.
Killer!!
2005-07-25 - Jerry Lee gives an absolutely electrifying performance!
No doubt in my mind that he still "has it" and any fan of his will "want it"! He literally rocks the stage! Don't miss this downright orgasmic experience!
