Interview: Linda Gail Lewis

3:18pm Friday 15th August 2008

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WHEN it comes to Linda Gail Lewis, you’re talking rock ’n’ roll royalty.

And anyone who saw the youngest sister of piano-pounding “Louisiana Fireball” Jerry Lee performing at Colne a couple of years ago won’t doubt it.

Now she's coming back to the Colne R&B Festival and she’s bringing her Blues Band with her.

We spoke to her.

ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THE FESTIVAL?
The festival is run by very nice and professional people who love music. I look forward to seeing them again. Last time the audience was wonderful. I was so shocked by that as I played early in the afternoon.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT TO SEE FROM YOU?
I will do some rock ‘n’ roll, a bluesy gospel song and, of course, some blues. I started my solo career on Beale Street in Memphis in 1988. Albert King was so good to me and I learned a lot from him. I also played the Maxwell Cafe in Paris in 1999. I know a lot of blues, gospel, country and rock ‘n’ roll, but I do less country on a blues festival, and less blues on the country festivals. I love all American roots music.

DOES THE FAMILY NAME HELP OR HINDER YOU?
I feel blessed and very fortunate. I had a wonderful time on the road with my brother and I would not take anything for those years that I was with him. Being Jerry’s sister has always been a joy for me. I had a career with him and then I started my solo career at the age of 39. I’ve always said that I was able to do that because of my brother’s name. He helped me get my foot in the door, but I do take credit for being able to survive. I think the expectations are higher because of the name Lewis, but that can be a good thing.

YOU ALSO PERFORM WITH YOUR TWO DAUGHTERS IN THE LEWIS 3.
Annie, Mary and I really enjoyed our country album that we did together. We still get together and sing when we can. We were together on stage at the American Music Masters Awards Show for Jerry.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO GET INTO MUSIC?
I was around music all my life. I grew up listening to my brother. We had great spiritual music at home and in the church. I love to entertain and I started out in talent shows at the age of five.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR MUSIC CAREER?
Playing in Cleveland at the awards show for Jerry and he was in the front row. Kris Kristofferson was introducing me and I was thrilled at all the nice things he had to say. I was very nervous to play in front of my brother but it was fantastic.

WHAT’S THE MOST ROCK ‘N’ ROLL THING YOU’VE DONE?
I married eight times.

WHAT’S THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE RECEIVED?
Go play in Europe. It came from my brother in 1990.

l See Linda Gail Lewis playing the International Stage of the Great British R&B Festival, Colne, on Saturday, August 23 at 2pm.