A native to Louisiana, Jerry Lee Lewis embodied the wildest form of rock in the 1950s. He appeared suddenly, after the success of Elvis Presley, whom he challenged. His originality was the key to his popularity: long, blonde, messy hair, a dazzling pianist performing energized country, blues, and rock and roll. He was a born performer who could play standing, as well as with his feet or who could set fire to his piano and continue playing it; he was also a singer of outstanding charisma. His career was broken overnight by a moral scandal in 1958, but his complete output released at the time is indispensable to any rock fan.