subject: How These Musical Icons Got Started Playing Piano And Details About Them [print this page] The musical instrument, the piano has been around for 500 years and people from all over the world enjoy playing the beautiful instrument. There are all types of pianos and keyboards that are played describes an owner of a grand piano cover and grand piano covers business. Some of the more famous pianists that entered the rock and roll era, used the piano in the 1950's such as Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard. Another great performer, singer and pianist is Ray Charles who is a blind artist who had an instant connection to the piano as a child.
Jerry Lee Lewis was born in 1929 and is known as one of the best rock and roll and country performers. He grew up poor in Louisiana and his parents mortgaged their farm to be able to purchase a piano for him since he began playing it as a little boy with his 2 older cousins. He struggled in his personal life having been married six times and caused a scandal when he married his 13 year old second cousin that stopped his career for a decade. His piano playing ability eventually won out though and he was named to the Rock and Roll Hall of fame in 1986 and is well known for the song, Great Balls of Fire.
Little Richard was best known for making the transition of rhythm and blues to rock and roll in the 1950's bringing that kind of music to the masses. His energy on stage was unbelievable as he played the piano rapidly and frantically while singing and at times screaming his vocals with as much excitement. At the top of his fame he quit and wanted to become a minister after becoming a born again Christian. He bounced back and forth between the two careers until he figured out a way to blend them both in his life. He has received more awards than can be counted including the Rock and Roll hall of fame and his piano playing influenced many artists in the future.
Ray Charles combined rhythm and blues with gospel and blues to create soul music. He began to lose his vision at five years old and was totally blind by the age of 7 from an untreated eye infection. He attended a school for the blind and deaf in Florida where he developed his musical talent. His mother died when he was 15, he didn't return to school but played in different bands and nightclubs to make a living. This is when he started to wear his signature sunglasses. He moved to Seattle where he got his 1st recording contract and signed with Atlantic records where he got suddenly famous. He was listed as one of 100 Greatest Artists of all time from Rolling Stone magazine and strongly influenced future pianist stars like Billy Joel.
These 3 pianists and musicians will be forever known as some of the best that ever lived and ones that strongly influenced the music in America.
