Myra Gale Brown: Jerry Lee Lewis's Controversial Marriage & Legacy

Can a marriage truly thrive when one partner is barely out of childhood? The story of Myra Gale Brown, who became Jerry Lee Lewis's third wife at the tender age of 13, is a testament of love and controversy that continues to spark debate and intrigue.

The details of their union are as complex as they are captivating. First, Myra Gale Brown was just 13 years old when she and Jerry Lee Lewis married on December 12, 1957. Second, she was not only his cousin but also the daughter of his bassist, J.W. Brown. To further complicate matters, Myra Gale Brown was Jerry Lee Lewis's third wife, which raised eyebrows and fueled controversy in the conservative American society of the time.

Reference: Jerry Lee Lewis Official Website

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Myra Gale Brown's life began on July 11, 1944, in Vicksburg, Mississippi, as the daughter of Lois (ne Neal) and J.W. "Jay" Brown. The Browns later welcomed a son, Rusty Brown, into their family. In 1949, the family made a significant move to Memphis, Tennessee, when J.W. Brown accepted a position at Memphis Gas, Light and Water, where he worked as a lineman. This move would unknowingly set the stage for the events that would shape Myra's future.

Jerry Lee Lewis and Myra Gale Brown's controversial relationship wasn't just a fleeting moment in time; it cast a long shadow over the careers and lives of everyone involved. Jerry, born in 1935, had previously married Dorothy Barton in 1952, marking his first foray into matrimony. However, it was his union with Myra that would ultimately define a significant chapter of his life and career.

At the time of their marriage, Jerry Lee Lewis was already known as the "Wild One," a moniker that suited his energetic performances and rebellious spirit. Myra Gale was his first cousin once removed and the daughter of Lewis's bassist, making their relationship not only unconventional but also ethically questionable by modern standards. The fact that she was only 13 years old at the time of their marriage further amplified the controversy.

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The marriage between Jerry Lee Lewis and Myra Gale Brown produced two children: Steve Lewis Allen, who tragically drowned at the age of three, and Phoebe, who later became her father's manager and resides on his ranch in Nesbit, Mississippi. These children became living testaments to the complex and often turbulent relationship between their parents.

The impact of Jerry Lee Lewis's marriage to Myra Gale Brown was nothing short of devastating to his career. The "Great Balls of Fire" rocker, once at the pinnacle of his success, saw his popularity plummet after the news of his marriage to his young cousin became public. The scandal led to widespread condemnation, boycotts, and blacklisting, effectively derailing his career and forcing him to cancel numerous tours.

In 1957, at the age of 22, Jerry Lee Lewis tied the knot with Myra Gale Brown, marking his third marriage. This particular union would come to define his personal and professional life for many years to come. The fact that it wasn't Lewis's first venture into marriage only added fuel to the firestorm of controversy surrounding his relationship with Myra.

Lewis had been married twice before, but it was his third marriage to Myra in 1957, when he was 22 years old, that would ultimately define his legacy. The marriage was met with public outcry and outrage, resulting in his boycott from the music industry and blacklisting at venues across the country. This period marked a significant turning point in Lewis's career, as he struggled to navigate the fallout from his controversial marriage.

On December 12, 1957, Jerry Lee Lewis married his third cousin, Myra Gale Brown, in a ceremony that would forever alter the course of their lives. The close blood relationship between them and the fact that Myra was only 13 years old at the time of their marriage became fodder for endless speculation and criticism. Many found it difficult to reconcile the age difference and familial connection with the sanctity of marriage.

The age difference and familial ties between Jerry Lee Lewis and Myra Gale Brown sparked a moral panic in the United States and abroad. The media seized upon the story, fueling public outrage and condemnation. Lewis's career suffered immensely as radio stations refused to play his music, and venues canceled his scheduled performances. He became a pariah in the entertainment industry, struggling to regain his footing after the scandal broke.

For a man from his time and place, marrying at 13 and marrying one's third cousin (twice removed in modern parlance) might not have seemed as shocking or unconventional as it did to the rest of the world. However, the prevailing social norms and ethical standards of the time ultimately condemned Lewis's actions, leading to significant repercussions for his career and personal life.

Myra's voice, as reflected in her memoir, is described as uncommonly clear and engaging, making the reading experience a true joy. Whether she is recounting the innocence of her 13-year-old self, grappling with the heartbreak of life's challenges, or exuding the tenacity and spark of the woman she has become, Myra's voice is consistently alive, humorous, heartfelt, and refreshingly devoid of pretense.

Her memoir provides a unique perspective on the events that shaped her life, offering insights into the complexities of her relationship with Jerry Lee Lewis and the challenges she faced as a young woman in the public eye. Through her writing, Myra invites readers to empathize with her experiences and understand the nuances of her journey.

Shortly after it was revealed that Myra had married Jerry Lee Lewis, J.W. Brown, Myra's father and Jerry's cousin, was unceremoniously ousted from the band that he had originally started. This decision underscored the extent to which the marriage had strained family relationships and professional collaborations, leaving lasting scars on those involved.

Jerry Lee Lewis, despite his musical talent, was known for his volatile temper and tumultuous personal life. Some have even labeled him a "killer," alluding to the tragic deaths of at least two of his wives, one of whom reportedly died by drowning. These allegations, though unproven, added another layer of complexity to Lewis's already controversial public image.

The "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" and "Great Balls of Fire" hitmaker, Jerry Lee Lewis, had eloped with Myra Gale Brown in December 1957, marking the culmination of a romance that had blossomed when he moved into the Memphis home of Myra's father, J.W. Brown. According to Lewis's obituary in The Times, J.W. Brown was not only Lewis's cousin but also his bass player, making their familial and professional ties all the more intertwined.

Myra Gale Brown's youth was a recurring theme in the narrative surrounding her marriage to Jerry Lee Lewis. She was just 13 years old when they exchanged vows on December 12, 1957, a detail that often overshadowed other aspects of their relationship. The age difference between them became a symbol of the power dynamics at play and the ethical implications of their union.

In addition to her youth, Myra Gale Brown's familial connection to Jerry Lee Lewis also drew scrutiny and criticism. As his cousin and the daughter of his bassist, J.W. Brown, Myra's relationship with Lewis was viewed by many as inappropriate and exploitative. These factors contributed to the widespread condemnation of their marriage and the subsequent damage to Lewis's career.

Beyond her youth and familial ties, Myra Gale Brown's status as Jerry Lee Lewis's third wife also raised questions about the stability and legality of their marriage. The fact that their union had taken place before Lewis's second divorce had been finalized only added to the controversy and further tarnished his reputation. The timing of their marriage raised legal and ethical concerns, casting a shadow over their relationship from the very beginning.

Jerry Lee Lewis, the hell-raising rocker who defied conventions and pushed boundaries, passed away on October 28, 2022, leaving behind a legacy as complex and controversial as his music. His death marked the end of an era in rock and roll history, but the stories and scandals that defined his career continue to resonate to this day.

Despite his musical talent and contributions to the genre, Jerry Lee Lewis's career nearly ended in 1957 when he married Myra Gale Brown. The resulting scandal forced him to cancel tours and subsequently lose most of the goodwill that his music had earned him up to that point. The marriage became a defining moment in his career, forever altering his trajectory and shaping his public image.

Myra Brown, the first cousin once removed and third wife of American rock and roll star Jerry Lee Lewis, found herself thrust into the spotlight during Lewis's planned British tour. Her presence sparked outrage and condemnation, leading to the cancellation of the tour and further damaging Lewis's reputation. The incident underscored the extent to which their relationship had become a public spectacle, overshadowing Lewis's musical achievements.

After the scandal surrounding his marriage to Myra Gale Brown, Jerry Lee Lewis's rock 'n' roll career took a nosedive, as radio stations refused to play his music, and venues canceled his performances. He struggled to regain his former glory, facing widespread condemnation and ostracism from the music industry. The marriage became a watershed moment in his career, marking the beginning of a long and arduous journey back to prominence.

Myra Gale Brown was born on July 11, 1944, in Vicksburg, Mississippi, to parents Lois (ne Neal) and J.W. Brown. The Browns later welcomed a son, Rusty Brown, into their family. In 1949, the family made a significant move to Memphis, Tennessee, when J.W. Brown accepted a position at Memphis Gas, Light and Water, where he worked as a lineman. This move would unknowingly set the stage for the events that would shape Myra's future.

Myra Gale Brown was the daughter of J.W. Brown, who was not only Jerry Lee Lewis's cousin but also the bass player in his band. This close familial and professional relationship added another layer of complexity to the dynamic between Myra and Jerry Lee Lewis. The fact that her father was a key figure in Lewis's life made their eventual marriage all the more controversial and scandalous.

At the time of her marriage to Jerry Lee Lewis, Myra Gale Brown hadn't realized that there was anything wrong with their relationship, underscoring the power dynamics at play and the influence that Lewis exerted over her. As a young and impressionable teenager, she may not have fully grasped the implications of their age difference and familial connection, making her vulnerable to manipulation and exploitation.

Myra Gale Brown, often referred to as the "child bride," found herself thrust into the world of rock 'n' roll at a tender age, navigating the complexities of fame and controversy with a level of maturity that belied her years. Her experiences during this tumultuous period shaped her into the resilient and outspoken woman she is today.

Her father, J.W. Brown, played a pivotal role in Jerry Lee Lewis's career by initiating a band in Memphis, Tennessee, and inviting his cousin to join. This decision would have far-reaching consequences, not only for Lewis's musical trajectory but also for Myra's personal life. The formation of the band marked the beginning of a complex web of relationships and events that would ultimately lead to their controversial marriage.

In December 1957, Myra Gale Brown was just 13 years old when Jerry Lee Lewis, who was 22 and also her cousin, married her. This union sparked outrage and condemnation, becoming a defining moment in both of their lives. The age difference and familial connection between them made their marriage a lightning rod for controversy, forever altering the course of their careers and personal lives.

The 1989 biopic "Great Balls of Fire!" depicted the relationship between Jerry Lee Lewis and Myra Gale Brown, with Dennis Quaid portraying Lewis and Winona Ryder playing Myra. The film offered a dramatized account of their lives and the controversies surrounding their marriage, providing audiences with a glimpse into the complex dynamics of their relationship. While the film was a commercial success, it also faced criticism for its portrayal of Myra's youth and the ethical implications of their marriage.