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Counting down Elvis: his 100 finest songs

a scholarly study, or a thorough, thoughtful historical biography disguised as a colorful piece of fandom fun. Truthfully, it is both of these things. The impressive array of recordings examined, the vast reservoir of photos displayed, the attention to book-length biographies, and the provocative interviews with Jerry Lee’s session players and family members make this 2019 volume worthwhile reading for fans and popular music scholars alike. While none of the essays approaches the eloquence of Nick Tosches or Colin Escott in depicting Jerry Lee’s complex and troubled psyche, the writers gathered by Rik Flynn do justice to the immense talent and grand personal missteps that characterize the topsy-turvy career of The Killer. This collection of commentaries accurately describes Jerry Lee’s idiosyncratic song selections, his arrogant and self-centered demeanor, and his charismatic, crowd-pleasing performing style. Wily popular culture commentator Mark Duffet has cautioned his fellow scholars to be more appreciative of the contributions of music fans in helping to understand the popularity of particular recording stars. To comprehend the majesty of Jerry Lee Lewis throughout his lengthy career, it is obligatory to abandon rationality and reserve, to downplay objectivity and nuance. In this biographical circumstance, fandom and fanzines can offer invaluable judgments about artistic eccentricity and outlandish behavior. Editor Rik Flynn takes us on a swinging safari into the deep jungles of Ferriday, Memphis, and Nashville to view the most untamed creature ever to prowl and howl and pound on a piano. Enjoy the outlandish excursion.