The 5pm show will be the culmination of Third Man’s Record Store Day celebrations, which begin at 11:30am.

Jerry Lee’s backing band will include Steve Cropper (guitarist of Booker T & The MGs), Jim Keltner (drummer for Bob Dylan, Neil Young and more) and Jack Lawrence (bassist for The Raconteurs, Greenhornes, Loretta Lynn and The Dead Weather).

Lewis’s last release was the 2010 duets album “Mean Old Man” which featured collaborations with legends such as Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton, Solomon Burke and John Fogerty.

White has worked with a number of legendary artists, both as a performer and producer, including Jeff Beck, Bob Dylan and The Rolling Stones. Last year he produced Wanda Jackson’s album “The Party Ain’t Over.” The White Stripes formally disbanded in February after a long hiatus.

“Million Dollar Quartet” is based on the day in December 1956 when Elvis Presley dropped by Sun Studios in Memphis, Tennessee and jammed with Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash.

Those who are sticklers for historical accuracy might be disappointed by the musical, as it is very much a fictionalised account of what happened that day. A recording of the real event was thankfully made, but it does not feature Johnny Cash at all (although he was certainly at least there for the photo call), and there is more emphasis on gospel music than rock ‘n’ roll. The opposite is true of the musical, which features almost exclusively rock ‘n’ roll performances, including “Blue Suede Shoes”, “That’s All Right”, “Great Balls of Fire”, “Hound Dog” and “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.” None of those were really sung during the jam and the Jerry Lee numbers weren’t even recorded by him until the following year. Elvis’ girlfriend in the musical, Dyanne, who sing’s Peggy Lee’s “Fever” in the show, is also fictional. The real girlfriend was Marilyn Evans and she didn’t sing. So yes, you won’t get a history lesson if you watch this show, but that’s not the intention of course. It is designed to entertain through high energy rock ‘n’ roll performances and the positive reviews of the US version suggest it does achieve that.

“Million Dollar Quartet” stars Michael Malarkey as Elvis Presley, Ben Goddard as Jerry Lee Lewis, Derek Hagen as Johnny Cash, Robert Britton Lyons as Carl Perkins, Bill Ward as Sun Records boss Sam Phillips, and Francesca Jackson as Dyanne. Lyons starred in the original Broadway production.

Million Dollar Quartet opens at London’s Noël Coward Theatre (0844 482 5141) on February 28, 2011, with reduced price previews from February 8, 2011. Click here for Million Dollar Quartet ticket information.

A North American tour of “Million Dollar Quartet” is planned for October 2011.

Jerry Lee said in a press statement:

Lewis recently celebrated his 75th birthday and is currently touring to promote his new album “Mean Old Man.”

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Jerry Lee is the sole surviver of the famed Sun Records Million Dollar Quartet and he isn’t done with recording yet. This month saw the release of his duets album “Mean Old Man” and a series of public appearances, including a guest spot in the Broadway show “The Million Dollar Quartet.” He has lost some of his early fire to be sure, but the crowds still love to see this rock ‘n’ roll pioneer.

Here’s some of Jerry Lee’s classics:

Jerry Lee Lewis – Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On (1957)

Jerry Lee Lewis – Great Balls of Fire (1957)

Jerry Lee Lewis – Breathless (1958)

Jerry Lee Lewis – What’s Made Milwaukee Famous (1969)

See also:
Jerry Lee Lewis Profile

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The gig will take place at 7pm tomorrow night (September 7) and it will be streamed live at www.liveatbestbuy.com for those who can’t make it in person.

You can pick up “Mean Old Man” from midnight tonight at the Best Buy Union Square store. The first 200 to purchase the CD will gain admittance to tomorrow night’s show and receive an autographed CD book.

Jerry Lee Lewis is joined by a fantastic supporting cast on “Mean Old Man” including Eric Clapton, Sheryl Crow, John Fogerty, Keith Richards, Mick Jagger and Kid Rock.

Click here for further information on “Mean Old Man”

“Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” was released in May 1957, backed with “It’ll Be Me”, and it would become one of Jerry Lee Lewis’ signature tunes and one of the most important early rock songs.

Authorship

“Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” was written by singer/songwriter Dave “Curlee” Williams and bandleader and songwriter James Faye “Roy” Hall in 1955. Hall is credited under the pseudonym Sonny David.

The first recording was by Big Maybelle in March of 1955 and Hall recorded his own version in September of that year. Neither versions made an impact on the charts and both were far removed from Jerry Lee’s later rock ‘n’ roll cover.

Here’s Big Maybelle’s original:

Recording date/location

Jerry Lee Lewis recorded “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” in one take on March 15, 1957 at 706 Union Avenue, Memphis Tennessee. This was Lewis’ second session for Sun Records. The first had produced the single “Crazy Arms”, which hadn’t been a commercial success. Lewis had also been playing on other artists’ records for several months, including Carl Perkins’ “Matchbox.”

“Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” was produced by Jack Clement, who had discovered Jerry Lee Lewis the previous year while Sun Records owner Sam Phillips was on a trip to Florida.

Musicians

As Elvis had done a couple of years before at Sun, Jerry Lee created a full sound with limited musicians on this track. It features only Jerry Lee on vocals and piano, Jimmy Van Eaton on drums and Roland James on lead guitar. There is no bass and no second guitar.

Chart performance

Lewis hit number three on the Billboard pop charts with “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.” He also had a number one on both the R&B and Country charts with the song, and a number eight hit in the UK. The chart fortunes of the song in the US were helped greatly by Jerry Lee’s impressive tv debut on The Steve Allen Show on July 28, 1957.

“Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” was Jerry Lee’s second biggest chart single, only eclipsed by his subsequent release, “Great Balls of Fire,” which hit number two on the pop chart and number one in the UK. He never did manage a US number one on the pop chart.

Covers

There have been many fine covers of “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” by some of the biggest names in rock “n” roll. Of course, Jerry Lee’s own version is a cover, but it’s clear that subsequent versions are inspired by his release rather than the original.

Here’s some excellent versions of the classic song.

Elvis Presley – “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On”

Elvis Presley recorded “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” at a one-day session on September 22, 1970. Elvis offers a new take on the song, with the boogie woogie piano of Jerry Lee’s version replaced by edgy bass and guitar riffs. This is a fine rock ‘n’ roll performance by Elvis, with a brilliantly varied vocal that ranges from bass harmony to a full throated yell.

Elvis’ version of “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” featured on his great album “Elvis Country” (I’m 10,000 Years Old)“, which was released in January 1971.

Elton John – “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On”

Elton John recorded “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” for the 2001 tribute album to Sun Records “Good Rockin’ Tonight: The Legacy of Sun Records.” Other stars featured included Paul McCartney, Jeff Beck & Chrissie Hynde, Tom Petty, Eric Clapton, Bryan Ferry, Sheryl Crow and Chris Isaak.

Wanda Jackson – “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On”

The great rockabilly singer Wanda Jackson featured “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” on her 1964 album “Two Sides of Wanda” alongside rockers such as “Candy Man”, “Honey Don’t” and “Rip It Up.”

Carl Perkins and Friends – “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On”

Carl Perkins had sung “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” for years before leading a rousing rendition of the song during the excellent 1985 tv special “Carl Perkins and Friends.” Joining Carl in the jam were George Harrison, Eric Clapton, Ringo Starr, Dave Edmunds and Rosanne Cash.

There will be a new Song of the Week on September 13.

Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” is available on many of his rock ‘n’ roll compilations, including the “Sun Essentials” 4-CD box set and “The Essential Sun Collection” 2-CD set.

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The part of Jerry Lee Lewis is played by Broadway newcomer Levi Kreis, who won a Tony Award in June for his performance. Kreis will also appear on Lewis’ new album, “Mean Old Man,” performing a duet on the song “Money.”

“Million Dollar Quartet” opened at the Nederlander Theater on April 11 and has received rave reviews. It also stars Eddie Clendening as Elvis Presley, Lance Guest as Johnny Cash and Robert Britton Lyons as Carl Perkins.

Previous stars to sit in with the cast during the show’s finale include Larry Gatlin, Guy Davis and Melissa Etheridge.

Click for Million Dollar Quartet ticket details

You can pre-order Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Mean Old Man” from the following online retailers:

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A number of the artists on “Mean Old Man” album already appeared with Jerry Lee Lewis on “Last Man Standing,” including Eric Clapton, John Fogerty, Kid Rock and Merle Haggard.

“Mean Old Man” will be available as a 10-track album or an 18-track deluxe edition. Here’s the track lists:

“Mean Old Man” – standard edition

1. “Mean Old Man” with Ronnie Wood
2. “You Can Have Her” with Eric Clapton/James Burton
3. “Sweet Virginia” with Keith Richards
4. “Rockin My Life Away” with Kid Rock/Slash
5. “Roll Over Beethoven” with Ringo Starr/John Mayer/Jon Brion
6. “Bad Moon Rising” with John Fogerty
7. “Dead Flowers” with Mick Jagger
8. “You Are My Sunshine” with Sheryl Crow/Jon Brion
9. “Whiskey River” with Willie Nelson
10. “Middle Age Crazy” with Tim McGraw/Jon Brion.

“Mean Old Man” – deluxe edition

1. “Mean Old Man” with Ronnie Wood (written by Kris Kristofferson)
2. “You Can Have Her” with Eric Clapton/James Burton
3. “Dead Flowers” with Mick Jagger
4. “Middle Age Crazy” with Tim McGraw/Jon Brion
5. “Rockin’ My Life Away” with Kid Rock/Slash
6. “You Are My Sunshine” with Sheryl Crow/Jon Brion
7. “Swinging Doors” with Merle Haggard/James Burton
8. “Hold You In My Heart” with Shelby Lynne
9. “I Really Don’t Want To Know” with Gillian Welch
10. “Railroad to Heaven” with Solomon Burke
11. “Sweet Virginia” with Keith Richards
12. “Roll Over Beethoven” with Ringo Starr/John Mayer/Jon Brion
13. “Bad Moon Rising” with John Fogerty
14. “Please Release Me” with Gillian Welch
15. “Whiskey River” with Willie Nelson
16. “Sunday Morning Coming Down”
17. “Will The Circle Be Unbroken” with Mavis Staples/Robbie Robertson/Nils Lofgren
18. “Miss The Mississippi and You.”

Jerry Lee released the single “Mean Old Man” last August. Here’s some clips of that track and the rest of the album:

You can buy Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Mean Old Man” now:

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Enjoy these 10 forgotten originals.

Twist And Shout
Original – The Top Notes (1961)
Covers – The Isley Brothers (1962) and The Beatles (1963)

The cover of “Twist and Shout” by the Isley Brothers in 1962 is often assumed to be the original and it was the first top 20 hit for the group in the US. The most famous cover is of course by The Beatles, who featured the song on their second album “Please Please Me” and also released it as a single in the US, where it reached number two on the pop charts.

The original version of “Twist and Shout” was recorded by the Top Notes in 1961. It was one of Phil Spector’s early efforts as a staff producer at Atlantic Records and lacks the power and energy of his later efforts.

“It’s My Party”
Original – Helen Shapiro (1963)
Cover – Lesley Gore (1963)

Lesley Gore’s “It’s My Party” was the first of her three top five hits in 1963 and is the song most associated with her to this day.

It wasn’t uncommon for a British act to cover an American hit in the 50s and 60s, but unusual for a British artist to get there first. That was the case with “It’s My Party,” which was recorded by Helen Shapiro for her third album, “Helen in Nashville,” in February 1963. By the time the album was released in October of that year, Gore’s version was already a number one US hit and Shapiro’s was generally assumed to be the cover version.

Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’
Original – Big Maybelle (1955)
Cover – Jerry Lee Lewis (1957)

There were several versions of “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” recorded before Jerry Lee Lewis cut his classic version in May 1957 at Sun Records. The first was recorded by Big Maybelle (real name Mabel Louise Smith) in March 1955 and produced by Quincy Jones. Big Maybelle’s version has little in common with Jerry Lee’s piano-led rock ‘n’ roll version, but it’s a good example of mid-50s R&B.

Little Darlin’
Original – The Gladiolas (1957)
Cover – The Diamonds (1957)

The Diamonds covered “Little Darlin’” in 1957 and their version was intended as a good natured parody of the original. It was the Diamonds’ version of “Little Darlin’” which would become the big hit, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100. The group’s first hit was a cover of Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers’ “”Why Do Fools Fall In Love” in 1956, but that time they didn’t eclipse the original.

The doo-wop classic was written by Maurice Williams and first recorded in 1957 by The Gladiolas. The Gladiolas became Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs in 1959 and are best known for their classic song “Stay,” which found a new lease of life in the 1980s when it featured on the Dirty Dancing soundtrack.

“Do Wah Diddy Diddy”
Original – The Exciters (1963)
Cover – Manfred Mann (1964)

The British group Manfred Mann had a worldwide smash with “Do Wah Diddy Diddy” in 1964, hitting number one in both the UK and the US. This was Manfred Mann’s only US number one, but they did hit the top spot again in the UK with “Pretty Flamingo” in 1966 and “Might Quinn” in 1968.

“Do Wah Diddy Diddy” was written by husband and wife songwriting team, Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, and originally recorded in 1963 by The Exciters. Barry and Greenwich wrote many classics in the this period, including “Da Doo Ron Ron,” “Then He Kissed Me, “Be My Baby,”Chapel of Love,” and “Leader of the Pack.”

The Exciters had hit number four on the US pop chart in 1962 with the Leiber/Stoller-produced “Tell Him,” but failed to repeat that success with subsequent singles. Their version of “Do Wah Diddy Diddy” stalled at number 78 in 1963.

Dedicated To The One I Love
Original – “5″ Royales (1957)
Covers – The Shirelles (1959) / Mamas and the Papas (1967)

There are two very well known covers of “Dedicated to the One I Love” – the Shirelles version from 1959 and the Mamas and the Papas version from 1967. The Mamas and the Papas had the bigger hit, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100. The Shirelles version actually bombed at first time of asking in 1959, only hitting number 83, but made number three when re-released the following year.

The “5″ Royales’ original of “Dedicated to the One I Love” was written by band member Lowman “Pete” Pauling. The band had several minor hits, including others that were later recorded more famously by other acts, such as “Think” by James Brown and “Tell the Truth” by Ray Charles.

The Twist
Original – Hank Ballard (1959)
Cover – Chubby Checker (1960)

Chubby Checker’s “The Twist” was a number one hit in 1960 and again for two weeks in January 1962. The follow up “Let’s Twist Again” also hit number one in 1961 and earned Checker a Grammy for Best Rock & Roll Solo Vocal Performance. The song and accompanying dance were so popular that many artists felt they should have their own “twist” record – or at least their record companies thought so. Even Elvis Presley can be seen doing his own version of the dance in films such as “Kid Galahad.” Checker became so associated with the song that it defined his entire career.

“The Twist” will always be associated with Checker, but it was originally recorded by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters in 1959 and released as a B-side to “Teardrops on Your Letter.” Here’s a later version of Hank Ballard’s “The Twist” from a television appearance.

Rock Around the Clock
Original – Sonny Dae and His Knights (1954)
Cover – Bill Haley and His Comets (1954)

“Rock Around the Clock” was written by Max C. Freedman and James E. Myers and in fact originally intended for Bill Haley. However, due to a dispute between Myers and Haley’s record company, the recording was held up. When first released in 1954, Haley’s version was only a moderate hit, but after appearing in the film “Blackboard Jungle” the following year it became a worldwide smash.

The song was first recorded by Italian-American band Sonny Dae and His Knights. Their version was not a hit.

Walk Don’t Run
Original – Johnny Smith (1954/55)
Cover – The Ventures (1960)

The Ventures are the most successful instrumental band of all time and their 1960 cover of “Walk Don’t Run” hit number two on the US charts and became one of their signature tunes. It was also covered by Chet Atkins in 1957 and it’s this version that probably inspired The Ventures.

Jazz guitarist Johnny Smith wrote and recorded “Walk Don’t Run” in 1954/55 and it was by far his best known composition. Smith retired from performing in 1958 to teach and run a music store.

Mustang Sally
Original – Mack Rice (1965)
Cover – Wilson Pickett (1966)

Wilson Pickett’s cover of “Mustang Sally” from 1966 made number six on the US R&B charts and number 23 on the pop charts. It has since become one of the best known soul songs of the 1960s and one of the tracks most associated with Pickett.

Mack Rice wrote and recorded “Mustang Sally” in 1965 and hit number 15 on the US R&B charts with his version. Rice had been a member of a couple of R&B bands in the 1950s (the Five Scalders and the Falcons) and moved on to a solo career in the mid-60s. His greatest success came as a songwriter and many artists benefitted from his talents, including Etta James, Ike and Tina Turner, Lynryrd Skynyrd and of course Wilson Pickett.

The Beale Street Music Festival was launched on Beale in 1977 and moved to Tom Lee Park in 1990. It forms part of the Memphis in May International Festival, which also includes the World Championship Barbecue Cooking Contest, the Sunset Symphony and an international cultural exchange program. This year’s event looks like it will be a blast, with a great mix of talent, old and new. The eclectic nature of the Festival is summed up by the fact that Colbie Caillat is set to follow Jerry Lee Lewis on stage on the Saturday night.

Click here to purchase Beale Street Music Festival tickets