Rock'n'roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis playing first ever concert in Czech Republic

Jerry Lee Lewis, photo: CTK

Czech fans of rock'n'roll are in for an extremely rare treat on Thursday night, when one of the genre's true legends - Jerry Lee Lewis - makes his first ever appearance in the Czech Republic.

Jerry Lee Lewis,  photo: CTK
While most of the other original rock'n'rollers have long since gone to the great juke joint in the sky, Jerry Lee Lewis - at 69 - is still filling venues around the world with his accompanists of many years, the Killer Band.

Its exactly fifty years since he recorded his first single for the legendary Sun Records in Memphis. Gigantic hits such as Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On and Great Balls of Fire soon followed, as did sessions with Elvis and concerts with the likes of Chuck Berry.

In 1957 Jerry Lee Lewis married his 13-year-old cousin, with the subsequent scandal almost ending his career for good. But in recent decades he has enjoyed something of a revival.

Thursday's concert takes place at Prague's Lucerna hall, and "the Killer" is reported to be very interested in the history of the venue, which has in the past hosted the likes of Ray Charles, Count Basie and Louis Armstrong. And though he says he has never heard of Czech-made Petrof pianos, he is prepared to play one during his first ever concert in the Czech Republic.

What's more, Jerry Lee Lewis is apparently staying in Prague for a week to celebrate his recent 69th birthday.