Little did they know what it was going to turn into.. '", Myra Lewis Williams described Jerry Lee Lewis as "a country bumpkin who wore blue jeans and had ears that stuck out" when they first met. Jerry Lee Lewis: "Great Balls of Fire," Myra Gale Brown, and His I was like a deer caught in headlights. American actor Dennis Quaid as Jerry Lee Lewis and Winona Ryder as his underage wife Myra Gale Brown in the film 'Great Balls of Fire!', a biopic of. She was a stolid, hard-working black woman who'd taken care of Jerry Lee since before he moved down here from Memphis more than ten years, that made it. The couple had two of Lewis' six children: son Steve Allen Lewis (named after former late-night TV host Steve Allen), who tragically drowned when he was only 3 years old, and a daughter, Phoebe, who now manages the singer's career and lives at his ranch in Nesbit, Mississippi. [1] The Browns later had a son, Rusty Brown (b. He was still playing with squirt bottles with his friends. "Its not a story that ever went away. The Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On and Great Balls of Fire hitmaker had eloped with Myra Gale Brown in December 1957, the result of a romance that developed when he moved into the Memphis home of Myras father, JW Brown, who was Lewis cousin and bass player, according to Lewis obituary in The Times. Jane is also the mother to Jerrys second-born son,Ronnie Guy Lewis, 66. "My generation was taught to hide under our desk when the bomb came, so you always had in the back of your mind that any minute, any day, life could come to an end. The book propelled the 1989 film Great Balls of Fire!, featuring Dennis Quaid as Lewis and Winona Ryder as Brown. She also described herself as the adult in the relationship with Lewis. ", "Myra Williams, Jerry Lee Lewis' 13-year-old bride, speaks out", "Jerry Lee Lewis Married His 13-Year-Old Cousin And Ruined His Career", "Jerry Lee Lewis' teenage bride speaks out: 'I was the adult and Jerry was the child', "Jerry Lee Lewis' Lawsuit Against Daughter Dismissed by Judge", "Cousin's ex becomes Jerry Lee Lewis' 7th wife", "The Tiny Spark That Survived: The Rock 'n' Roll Life of Star's Child Bride", "Jerry Lee Lewis' former teenage wife releases new book", "Cannes Review: Ethan Coen's 'Jerry Lee Lewis: Trouble In Mind', https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Myra_Lewis_Williams&oldid=1138714619, This page was last edited on 11 February 2023, at 05:24. "Jay" Brown. However, Williams said she wants to look back at the happier times they had. What happened to Jerry Lee Lewis' 13-year-old bride? She's been here He got the scoop and I let the cat out of the bag. Phoenix's independent source of 1595 Malone Rd. And he was going everywhere going, Are you my mother? This poor little duck was just desperate. Myra Lewis Williams, also known as Myra Gale Brown, was the third wife of late rock n' roll pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis and more infamously his 13-year-old cousin at the time they got married. "We dont know, maybe this couple loves each other. Little did they know what it was going to turn into.". Myra Lewis Williams has no hard feelings over the relationship and still blames the press for turning it into something wicked. Jerry Lee Lewis: Marrying 13-year old cousin to facing abuse - MEAWW Myra Gale Lewis Williams (ne Brown; born July 11, 1944) is an American author, best known for her controversial marriage at the age of 13 to rock and roll musician Jerry Lee Lewis, who was her first cousin once removed and was 22 at the time. 19 . This is the book I wanted to write then. And, Myra said later, she herself felt ready for marriage. She said it is complicated. (adsbygoogle=window.adsbygoogle||[]).push({}); Karoline von Manderscheid-Blankenheim estimated Net Worth, Biography, Age, Height, Dating, Relationship Records, Salary, Income, Cars, Lifestyles & many more details have been updated below. "Its the path not taken. His bride, for her part, told the gathering that 15 wasn't too young to marry back home: "You can marry at 10 if you can find a husband.". His fourth marriage was to his 13-year-old cousin, Myra Gale Brown, which lasted from 1958 to 1970. Thats what this book basically is, this is what happened, this is how I handled it and here I am today, she said. A reporter came up to me and said, Excuse me miss, didnt I see you get off that plane? Before he knew it, his ticket prices had dropped astronomically, from $10,000 a night to a mere $250. Myra (given name) - Wikipedia In the end, she says, Jerry Lee Lewis downfall was a bigger issue than her age. And so, the story was cooked up. She is most popular for her union with rock n move performer Jerry Lee Lewis who is her subsequent cousin. [1] They went on to make rock and roll history, recording hit singles on Sun Records. I hope my story helps you handle your own ups and downs. Brown, Lewis cousin and the bass player in his band. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Related: I think this book will warm your heart, tickle your funny bone, and touch your soul. Hollywood Life, Latest Hollywood Celebrity & Entertainment News. She also described Lewis drug addiction, being the victim of abuse, divorcing and jumping into a rebound marriage, the Gwinnett Daily Post said. The couple owns a real estate company in Atlanta. All Rights Reserved. He just took off. And Jerry gave it to themwell, I did, I opened my mouth. He married a 13-year-old, Myra Gale Brown, who later said she was "subject to every type of physical and mental abuse imaginable." He shot his bass player, was a serial adulterer, abused drugs . What's More, when Lewis' plane landed in New York, he found the scandal had crossed the ocean with him, cutting short a career that, at its peak, had seemed the only one capable of rivaling Elvis Presley's. He knew I was with them. Her Instagram account has been dormant since early 2016. After the press found out in 1958 that Lewis, then 22, married his young cousin, the rock-and-roll star experienced a tremendous backlash that stalled his career for years. Jerry Lee Lewis is often tagged The Last Man Standing these days, a reference to his status among the core group of musicians who helped ignite the big bang of rock n roll of the 1950s. Lewis married Myra before his divorce from his second wife was final. Brown. He was blacklisted from the radio. She described how Sam Phillips, the founder of Sun Records, urged Lewis to "get out of town" quickly. or redistributed. Though they were no longer together, they remained amicable throughout the rest of Lewis marriages and still keep up with each other. After just a few shows in England, the tour was canceled. Hes no longer part of my life. Myra Gale Brown - Wikipedia, la enciclopedia libre [4] Lewis asserted that Brown was 15 years old and was his wife of two months. The press made me out to be a seductive Lolita, which was as far from the truth as it gets. We were like a little camp that had been attacked by the enemy, and we held strong to each other and said, regardless of what they do, were going to keep fighting.". Become a member to support the independent voice of Phoenix After Lewis concluded his separation from Mitcham, he remarried Brown on June 4, 1958. Lewis was shunned . Myra Gale Brown : Why won't they go away? Jerry Lee Lewis and Myra Gale Brown in 1958 | Bettmann via Getty Images Lewis was a rising star in rock and roll. But that career hit a sharp nosedive in 1958,whenthe 22-year-old musician'smarriage to Myra Gale Brown, his 13-year-old cousin,became public. (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images), "Thats the toughest question to answer because it would change everybodys life mine, his, our children," she said. All rights reserved. The teenager tragically overturned his Jeep and died in the car accident. How is this happening? Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. Jerry Lee Lewis and Myra Lewis Williams with their newborn son Steve Allen Lewis on Feb. 28, 1959, in Ferriday, Louisiana. Famous People Who Married Their Cousins. Now a news-agency reporter, Ray Berry, raised questions about Jerry's third wife, Myra Gale Brown. The revelation resulted in the abrupt cancellation of Lewis tour; he was blacklisted by radio and his earnings dropped overnight. That is when the world learned of their shocking marriage. However, Phillips managed to calm the furious patriarch down. Jerry Lee Lewis & Myra Gale Brown (Traduo) - YouTube 11 Rock Stars Who Slept With Underage Girls | Phoenix New Times Now Im older and wiser, and [not] malleable in the hands of others. During his 87 years of life Jerry welcomed six kids into his life. Brown, Lewis' cousin and the bass player in his band. She filed on the grounds of adultery and abuse. Before Kurt and Courtney, Sid and Nancy, or John and Yoko, there was Jerry Lee Lewis and his thirteen-year-old bride, Myra Gale Brown. (Photo by Tom Baffer/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images). Over the course of his life, he was married to seven different women, including Myra Gale Brown, 78, who was also Jerrys first cousin once removed. ", "I was the adult in the room and Jerry was the silly child," she said. Market data provided by Factset. 1954). Lewis was 22. [19], Since 1980, Brown has enjoyed success as a real estate agent in Atlanta. Myra Gale Brown today known as Myra Lewis William, was an American author. (Couples married young in his Louisiana hometown of Ferriday, and he wed for the first time when he was 16 and had seven wives over the course of his life.). The challenges, however, brought them closer together, with Williams describing their following years together as"the happiest years of our marriage. After the two were married on December 12, 1957, Lewis planned to take Brown along on a tour of England. ", Williams also described howthe revelation of their marriage hurt Lewis' career, recalling how the musician's "fame and money went down to almost nothing." "My 1988 book and the resulting movie, Great Balls of Fire, were just the beginning. She was married to her cousin, rock star Jerry Lee Lewis. In 2017, the talented musician sued his daughter for allegedly giving him drugs, according toTMZ. At the time, she hadnt realized that there was anything wrong with her relationship with Lewis. People didn't know it at the time that they wed, but although she was listed as a 20-year-old, legally Brown was actually only 13 (via Biography). The American press proved just as harsh as their English counterparts, and Jerry Lee's fee for personal appearances soon dropped from $10,000 a night to $250. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Her Instagram account has been dormant since early 2016. Brown, who celebrate their 75th wedding anniversary on Monday, with their daughter, Myra, in the late 1940s or early 1950s. We were going to visit a bunch of places in Europe. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. With five of his ex-wives, the Great Balls of Fire singer fathered six children. I mean, he was ready to kill. Click to Subscribe to Get Our Free HollywoodLife Daily Newsletter, Allison Holker Snuggles Up To Kids Maddox, 7, & Zaia, 3, Nearly 3 Months After Twitchs Tragic Death, Ariana Madix Hangs With Pal Kristen Doute Amid Tom Sandoval & Raquel Leviss Cheating Drama, Tom Sizemore Dead: Acclaimed Actor Dies At 61 After Brain Aneurysm, Is Sex/Life Season 3 Happening? 6:00AM. [5] She married her third husband, Richard Williams, in 1984, and joined his Century 21 Real Estate office. View all photos from this album. Stephanie Nolasco covers entertainment at Foxnews.com. She became a licensed broker in 1984, and is a recipient of the Million Dollar Life Time Award 2003. But it was a different world, things have changed so drastically. Thats what this book basically is, this is what happened, this is how I handled it and here I am today, she said. Myra Brown, of Andover Community Care, talks about the organization's efforts to help raise money for those in need. You come out of the fire you make it. Rusty Brown is Myra Gale Brown's brother, O'Connor said. Myra Gale Brown : I don't know how to be a wife. Jerry Lee Lewis and Myra Gale Brown shortly after their wedding in December 1957. (She filed for divorce in 1970, citing allegations of abuse and adultery.). Jerry Lee Lewis and the Myra Brown Scandal - LiveAbout in 2004. Her second book chronicled her experiences becoming a mother at age 14 and then again at 17 and losing their son Steve by accidental drowning in 1962. Myra Gale Brown was born on July 11, 1944, in Vicksburg, Mississippi, the daughter of Lois (ne Neal) and J.W. A lot of ink has been spilled about his close blood relationship with Myra, and the fact that she was only 13 and still believed in Santa Claus when the pair were married. Two of those unions ended in untimely deaths for the brides, and his fourth and final marriage came in 2012. Lewis was poised to replace Presley as rock n roll's new hit-maker. There were plenty of ups and downs in her marriage to Lewis. At the time, she hadn't realized that there was anything wrong with her relationship with Lewis. I dont think he wouldve done it by any means, but he was really angry. After 30 years of rock n roll movies, is it too much to ask Hollywood to make a biography that reaches for insight rather than nostalgia; a film with enough imagination and heart to add to a performers artistic legacy rather than belittle it? (7) See myra gale brown stock video clips. Infatuation with a child simply seemed to come with rock and roll territory. This book was initially delivered in October 1982 by William Morrow and Company. [5] The scandal over the marriage destroyed Lewis' promising rock and roll career,[8] although he subsequently found success in country music. It was a marriage license. Great Balls of Fire! (1989) - Winona Ryder as Myra Gale Brown - IMDb She has been in news due to the death of her husband, on October 28, 2022. When you visit the site, Dotdash Meredith and its partners may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Jerry Lee Lewis obituary | Pop and rock | The Guardian Thirteen year old Myra Gale Brown sitting on Jerry Lee Lewis lap. I dealt with [the controversy] a lot better than anybody else did I had not thought like a child in a long time. Browse 8 myra gale brown stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. Family Members. Ronnie was born in 1956, about three years into Jerry and Janes marriage. However, since his marriage a few years ago to my ex-sister-in-law, who wasnt an ex yet when they got together (yes, you read that correctly), Phoebe quit working for him and I havent seen him since. (Getty Images). She was crying as she moved down the hall. However, while Lewis toured in England, the press not only learned of the controversial marriage to Williams, but that the star was still married to his previous wife. The British press began labeling Lewis, a "cradle robber" and a "baby snatcher," criticizing his performances (which had always been hit-or-miss, depending on the singer's mood, and calling for a boycott of his concerts. This time there are no holds barred. She is best known for her controversial marriage at the age of 13 to rock and roll musician Jerry Lee Lewis, who is her first cousin once removed. [10][11] Brown filed for divorce on the grounds of adultery and abuse,[5] stating that she had been "subject to every type of physical and mental abuse imaginable. To Jerry Lee, the uproar was hard to understand: "I plumb married the girl, didn't I?" 'Great Balls of Fire' Movie: Dennis Quaid as Jerry Lee Lewis ELVIS PRESLEY'S FINAL MONTHS WERE PLAGUED WITH PHYSICAL PAIN AS HE EMBARKED ON GRUELING TOUR, AUTHOR CLAIMS, "I let the cat out of the bag," said Williams. If I can survive lifes worst tragedies and my own dumb-ass decisions, you can, too.. Dawn Staley thinks so, Why do we have daylight saving time? At the point when Lewis showed up in London for a 37-date visit, Brown uncovered to inquisitive writers that she was his better half. Everything We Know So Far. My daddy will kill you. And he said, Oh no, he wont. That was a very hard time, a very sad time for me. He continued to record music and perform in theater during that time and mounted a comeback about a decade later. She became a licensed broker in 1984, and is a recipient of the Million Dollar Life Time Award 2003. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Lewis has been married seven times; twice before eloping with Brown. The Killer was there within seconds. Copyright 2023 by Vizaca. ", Williams again addressed their scandalous relationship in her 2016 memoir, "The Spark That Survived." What does it mean? With a new memoir, The Spark That Survived, she wrote at the time, sharing an image emblazoned with Whatever happened to Myra? over an old photo of her and Lewis. (Photo by Zak Hussein - PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images). In 1970, Myra Gale Brown filed for divorce from Jerry Lee Lewis on the grounds of adultery and abuse. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. They told Jerry not to take me Had I known, I could have pretended to be sick, do anything except go. I not only survived it, Im better for it, having gone through it. "But I didnt know. She also described herself as "the adult in the relationship" with Lewis. ", For her part, Williams said that she wasn't a fan of her first book and its movie adaptation because they were someone elses idea about how that part of her life story should be told, the Post said. J.W. Their story was previously chronicled in the 1989 film "Great Balls of Fire" starring Dennis Quaid as the performer and Winona Ryder as the former Myra Gale Brown. Lewis stated that Brown was 15 years of age and was his better half of two months; in any case, it was found that she was just 13, and that they had been hitched for almost five months. Second, she was his cousin, and the daughter of his bassist J.W. If you think you know [my] story of being the 13 year old bride of my second cousin, youre in for a surprise, she teased. Jerry Lee Lewis, Rock Music Pioneer, Dead at 87 Lets check, How Rich is C, All You Need To Know About Tamara Hurwitz. My generation was taught to hide under our desk when the bomb came, so you always had in the back of your mind that any minute, any day, life could come to an end, Brown recalled in an interview. After her separation, Brown was momentarily hitched to the criminal investigator she had employed to trail Lewis and record his treacheries. It was also controversial because she was 13 years old at the time, while Lewis was 22. Sun Records' Jud Phillips (brother of producer Sam) had warned him against taking Myra with him to England on his first European tour. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. (Indeed, Lewis had moved in with Myra's parents when he married her.) Her second book chronicled her experiences becoming a mother at age 14 and then again at 17 and losing their son Steve by accidental drowning in 1962. John Doe as J. W. Brown Actor/musician John Doe took on the role of J. W. Brown, the father of Myra Gale Brown and the first cousin (and later father-in-law) of Jerry Lee Lewis. I dropped the bomb. ", She continued: "If you say to me now, 'Theres a 13-year-old girl over here who wants to get married,'I would say 'God, please do not do that, little girl. "And thats how we got married," she chuckled. He won three Grammys and recorded with some of the industrys greatest stars. Moreover, Lewis had not at this point separated from his past spouse, Jane Mitcham. Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1. The radio stations that didnt play it hated it. Jerry Lee Lewis death: What happened to 13-year-old bride? - Los She is most popular for her union with rock 'n' move performer Jerry Lee Lewis who is her subsequent cousin. myra gale brown Photos - The Times of India Photogallery Loganville couple celebrates 75 years of marriage, music and memories She had wanted to tell the story of a woman surviving difficult circumstances and inspire women to understand their own strengths,[18] so she published her memoir, The Spark That Survived, in 2016. The Associated Press contributed to this report. See also Other Works | Publicity Listings | Official Sites The marriage eventually came to an end in 1970, when Williams divorced Lewis. myra gale brown Photos. The proud dad welcomed his first son,Jerry Lee Lewis Jr., in 1953. But that career hit a sharp nosedive in 1958,. What I wanted was a baby in my arms, a home, a husband, a kitchen to cook in, a yard to raise roses. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images), Lewis and Williams, his second cousin, married in 1957 when he was 22, and she was 13. His bride, Myra Gale Brown, was also thrust into the spotlight, and years later discussed how she "never lost the first name '13-year-old-child-bride-Myra.'" Myra Lewis Williams, . Their son passed away in 1962 at age 3 from drowning in a swimming pool. [5] This caused an uproar and after a few dates the tour was cancelled. Lewis in the long run discovered achievement in down-home music. Their daughter, Lori, was their only child that they had together. When Jerry married his first cousin once removed,Myra, the former couple welcomed two adorable kids together. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. He was set to become rock music's biggest star, as the tour was supposed to establish his worldwide fame. [19] The book details her tumultuous marriage to Lewis and how she built a new life for herself after their divorce. Before Jerry Lee Lewis and Myra Gale Brown divorced in 1970, the couple had two children, one of whom died as a child and the other who manages his career today. Lewis didn't seem to realize that this was offensive to most urban markets (and to other countries). Lewis and Myra were divorced in 1970. The Troubling History Of Jerry Lee Lewis - Grunge.com (Photo by Express Newspapers/Getty Images). Williams said her father marched down to Sun Records ready to confront Lewis. He outlived Elvis, but his career as a rock star was forever crippled by the scandal. The preachers hated it. His death had previously been erroneously reported by TMZ and other outlets on October 26th. I guess I went through like a trial by fire. After further digging, the newspapers revealed that Myra Gale Brown was actually 13, his cousin, and that for the second time, Lewis had failed to get divorced before remarrying. In 1971, the rock 'n'. Thats exactly what it was.". (1989). Myra Gale Brown (born July 11, 1944) is the cousin and former wife of singer Jerry Lee Lewis. Nardine Saad covers breaking entertainment news, trending culture topics, celebrities and their kin for the Los Angeles Times. Jerry Lee Lewis Homes - The City's Best Kept Secrets This is the book I wanted to write then. Stinky! Lewis tour was canceled. She later pursued a career in music and worked on the movie Benji: Off the Leash! So whatever happened to her? (She filed for divorce in 1970, citing allegations of abuse and adultery.). The press in both London and Memphis soon discovered the truth about Myra's age and the date of their wedding, and the response was immediate. I guess he had it all set up. Myra Williams talks about marriage at age 13 to Jerry Lee Lewis - Los She co-wrote many books, such as Great Book Of Fire and The Spark That Survived, and earned peoples love and popularity through her book. And he brought his marriage license home to me for us to get married. Thank you everyone for never giving up!! Hes no longer part of my life. It was during that year that the pianist embarked on a tour in England. 1963). The 1989 biopic Great Balls of Fire, which starred Dennis Quaid as Lewis and a 17-year-old Winona Ryder as Myra, was based on Williams first book of the same name. Myra Lewis Williams was approached by a reporter in London during the middle of her husband's tour. When Myra Williams looks back on her life her marriage to her cousin, singer Jerry Lee Lewis, in 1957 when she was just 13 years old, their good and bad times together, the two children they. All you could hear was Jerry going, Well?! Earthy colored. Lewis was 22 and Williams was 13, and the press came down hard on him when it was revealed that she was also his second cousin and that Lewis was still married to his second wife, Jane Mitchum, when they wed. Join the New Times community and help support American actor Dennis Quaid as Jerry Lee Lewis and Winona Ryder as Myra Gale Brown in the film "Great Balls of Fire!", a 1989 biopic of the famous rock 'n' roll musician. Who Is Jerry Lee Lewis' Wife, Judith Brown? More About His 7 Marriages What was happening back then, rock n roll was coming on very, very strong. Myra and Lewis were married for more than a decade and they had two children, Steve and Phoebe. Is Sex/Life Season 3 Happening? The 2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductees are Dolly Parton, Duran Duran, Eminem and more. In 1958, when Elvis Presley was drafted into the military . My 1988 book and the resulting movie, Great Balls of Fire, were just the beginning. In 2016, when William was 78 years old, shes been right here the whole time but she no longer had a relationship with her notorious ex-husband since 2015. Jerry Lee Lewis dies at 87: What Myra Williams, his 13-year-old wife 1963) who later turned into her dads supervisor and inhabited his farm in Nesbit, Mississippi until he wedded Judith Brown, the ex of Browns sibling Rusty Brown, in 2012. Lewis Fired, Then Sued His Daughter. But that career hit a sharp nosedive in 1958, when. ", "Its a sad time for the music business and the world," the 78-year-old told Fox News Digital. ", Rock n roll pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis passed away on Friday at age 87. Jerry Lee Lewis: A toxic cocktail of scandal, addiction and violence Myra Gale Brown - wikinone.com What was happening back then, rock n roll was coming on very, very strong. Lewis was 22 and Williams was 13, and the press came down hard on him when it was revealed that she was also his second cousin and that Lewis was still married to his second wife, Jane Mitchum, when they wed. He possibly based it on Latin myrra meaning "myrrh" (a fragrant resin obtained from a tree ). A family spat over money turned ugly in the courts. When J.W. The rebellious Louisiana-born piano player known as "The Killer" made his mark with hits such as "Great Balls of Fire" and "Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On. . After several tour dates were canceled, Jerry and his new bride left the country. In a separate Instagram post from 2015, Williams elaborated on her later relationship with the rocker, sharing a photo of them with their daughter, Phoebe. Jerry Lee Lewis married his 13-year-old cousin, still got various honors But when he and his entourage landed in London, the press was eager to . Dad, youre the greatest and I love you!, he captioned the snapshot.
Wade Wilson Cause Of Death, Mother In Law Cottage $12,800, Safra Catz Early Life, Boston Magazine Best School Districts, Where Does Carlos Sainz Live In Spain, Articles M