Introduction
Jerry Lee Lewis and Jimmy Swaggart are two of the most well-known figures in American music and religion. Lewis is a rock and roll legend, known for his wild piano playing and controversial personal life. Swaggart is a televangelist, known for his fiery preaching and scandalous downfall. But did you know that they are also cousins? And not just any cousins, but double first cousins, meaning they share both sets of grandparents. In this article, we will explore the surprising truth about the famous cousins, their family background, their musical influences, and their relationship with each other.
The Ferriday Trio
Jerry Lee Lewis and Jimmy Swaggart were born in Ferriday, Louisiana, a small town near the Mississippi River. They were part of a large and musical family that also included another cousin, Mickey Gilley, who would become a country music star and the owner of Gilley’s nightclub in Texas. All three cousins learned to play the piano at an early age, influenced by the gospel music they heard at church and the blues and country music they heard on the radio. They often played together on the family’s Stark piano, developing their own styles and skills. According to author J. D. Davis, who wrote a book about the trio, the family considered Swaggart to be the most talented of the three, but Lewis was the most ambitious and adventurous. Gilley was more reserved and followed Lewis’s footsteps into the music business.
The Killer, the Preacher, and the Cowboy
The three cousins took different paths to fame and fortune, but they never lost touch with each other. Lewis was the first to break out, with his rock and roll hits such as “Great Balls of Fire” and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” in the late 1950s. He became known as “The Killer” for his energetic and rebellious performances, but he also faced backlash and controversy for his marriage to his 13-year-old cousin, Myra Gale Brown, in 1957. His career suffered a setback, and he turned to country music in the 1960s and 1970s, scoring several hits and awards.
Swaggart started his ministry in 1955, preaching from the back of a flatbed truck. He soon expanded his reach with radio and television broadcasts, becoming one of the most popular and influential televangelists in the 1980s. He became known as “The Preacher” for his charismatic and emotional sermons, but he also faced criticism and scandal for his involvement with prostitutes in 1988 and 1991. He confessed his sins on national TV, but he lost his credibility and his followers.
Gilley followed Lewis into the music industry in the 1960s, but he did not achieve success until the 1970s, when he switched to country music and opened his famous nightclub, Gilley’s, in Pasadena, Texas. He became known as “The Cowboy” for his smooth and romantic songs, such as “Room Full of Roses” and “Stand By Me”. He also starred in the movie Urban Cowboy, which sparked a craze for country music and dancing in the 1980s. He continued to perform and record until a tragic accident in 2009 left him paralyzed from the neck down. He has since recovered and resumed his career.
The Cousins Today
Despite their differences and their distance, the cousins have always maintained a bond and a respect for each other. They have occasionally collaborated and supported each other over the years, and they have also reconciled their personal and spiritual issues. Lewis, who is now 86 years old, is still performing and recording, and he has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. Swaggart, who is now 87 years old, is still preaching and singing, and he has a worldwide ministry and a television network. Gilley, who is now 85 years old, is still touring and entertaining, and he has a theater and a museum in Branson, Missouri.
The cousins have also inspired generations of fans and artists, who admire their talent, their passion, and their resilience. They have proven that they are unconquered by the challenges and the changes of life, and that they are united by their love of music and their family ties. They are truly the Ferriday trio, the killer, the preacher, and the cowboy.
Conclusion
Jerry Lee Lewis and Jimmy Swaggart are more than just famous musicians and preachers. They are also cousins, who share a common heritage, a common interest, and a common spirit. They have lived remarkable and remarkable lives, full of highs and lows, successes and failures, joys and sorrows. They have also left a lasting legacy and a fascinating story, that reveals the surprising truth about the famous cousins.
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