Jerry Lee Lewis: The Story of Rock & Roll

When it comes to full tilt boogie, Jerry Lee Lewis (a.k.a., the Killer) was the man. Cut from the same cloth as Little Richard, Elvis and Buddy Holly, Lewis was one of the main reasons that devil rock 'n roll scared the squares in the 1950s. Legendary independent documentary filmmaker D.A. Pennebaker's Jerry Lee Lewis: The Story of Rock & Roll uses Lewis' appearance at the 1969 Toronto Rock & Roll Revival as the reference point, while recounting his rise to prominence and the poor decision making that probably cost him a fortune: in 1957, Lewis married his 13-year-old third cousin, Myra Gale Brown, and that was fodder for more than just the morality police. Shortly thereafter, Lewis' career tanked and real rock & roll was replaced by the sissified, whitebread sound of artists such as Bobby Vinton and Fabian. Pennebaker touches all the bases, mixing in concert footage from the 1950s and early '60s, while relying on the Toronto performance to impart the Killer's essential vibe (with 13 songs performed in all). It's a pivotal chapter in the story of rock & roll. And when Lewis does "Whole Lotta Shakin'" it's still too cool. Recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (P. Van Vleck)