Jerry Lee Lewis cancels upcoming Jazz Fest appearance

Jerry Lee Lewis cancels Jazz Fest appearance after suffering stroke

Ferriday, Louisiana-born rock and roll icon Jerry Lee Lewis has reportedly canceled his upcoming appearance at the 50th annual New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival after suffering a stroke.

According to NOLA.com (citing a CNN report), the singer-songwriter and pianist “is in rehab after spending two weeks in the hospital following a stroke.” The 83-year-old musician, fondly referred to as “The Killer,” was scheduled to perform at Jazz Fest on April 28.

“The Rock and Roll Hall of Famer greatly appreciates the prayers and well wishes he’s received from fans all over the world,” said Lewis’ publicist Zach Farnum. “He wants them to know he can’t wait to get back on stage and into the studio to make his Gospel record.”

In 2014, OffBeat‘s Frank Etheridge interviewed Rick Bragg, the author of a biography titled Jerry Lee Lewis: His Own Story. In a 2003 OffBeat feature on Lewis, Michael Hurtt penned an exhaustive retrospective on the famed musician’s career. Read that here.

Jerry Lee Lewis has been replaced by Johnny Rivers.

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