Elle King and The Black Keys Pay Tribute to Jerry Lee Lewis at the 2022 CMAs with Fiery Performance
Mar. 15, 2025Elle KingandThe Black Keysare honoring the lateJerry Lee Lewis, whodied on Oct. 28.
For their performance, King, 33, passionately mimed playing the piano as she sang along to the iconic lyrics, while The Black Keys rocked out on their instruments.
At one point, the piano burst into flames and King — being the icon that she is — stood up and slammed the keys even harder. When she stood up, she also showed the crowd that Lewis' nickname, “The Killer,” was embroidered on her pants.
Elle King.Mark Humphrey/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
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“He is ready to leave,” Brown Lewis had said just before his death. “He said he was ready to be with Jesus.”
Elle King and The Black Keys.Mark Humphrey/Invision/AP/Shutterstock
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Lewis wasinducted into the Country Music Hall of Famelast month, but he was unable to make the ceremony due to a bout with the flu. Instead,Kris Kristoffersonpresented him with the award at his bedside.
Check out PEOPLE’s full CMA Awards coverage to get the latest news on country’s biggest night
The rock starsuffered a minor strokein March 2019, but despite his health scare, he was still eager to make music.
Jerry Lee Lewis.Douglas Mason/Getty
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“I feel the crowd out on the first song. I want to look into their eyes and see the emotion,” hetold PEOPLE in 2017. “Sometimes [it’s] the commotion too! It always works out good either way. I give them what they want. I just love music. I’m a musical person. I live for my music.”
“When I cut sessions, I go home to my little small studio, I put my records on and I play them day in and day out,” added the star. “I listen to my music because it’s soothing and I love it. It’s good … You just can’t beat rock and roll.”
Meanwhile, other performances at the award show include:Luke Combs,Thomas RhettandKaty Perry,Cody Johnson,Brothers Osborne,Reba McEntireand more!
The 2022 CMAs are airing live Wednesday night from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
source: people.com
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