Jerry Lee Lewis, 'The Killer', Dies, Aged 87

1950s American rock and roll pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis has died, aged 87.

His death, which comes days after it was mistakenly reported he had passed away, was confirmed by his publicist.

Stay up-to-date on the latest news with The National Briefing - keeping you in the loop with news as it hits:

“Lewis, perhaps the last true, great icon of the birth of rock’n’roll, whose marriage of blues, gospel, country, honky-tonk and raw, pounding stage performances so threatened a young Elvis Presley that it made him cry, has died," Lewis' publicist Zach Farnum said.

“He was there at the beginning, with Elvis, Johnny Cash, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Carl Perkins, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly, and the rest, and watched them fade away one by one till it was him alone to bear witness, and sing of the birth of rock’n’roll.”

Nicknamed 'The Killer', Lewis was one of the last survivors of influential musicians to the rock and roll genre including his friend, and greatest rival, Elvis Presley and Little Richard.

Lewis was famous for his flowing blonde hair, rowdy piano beats and the occassional lighting up of his piano on stage among other crazy stage antics.

Lewis was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s first class in 1986.

For Australians looking for intelligent and unbiased news coverage, join renowned journalist Natarsha Belling on Your Morning Agenda for breaking national and international stories as well as the top business and finance stories - every weekday from 6:30am on Listnr: