His hair is still thick and wavy, his voice strong and clear, he plays piano with the same fire and energy and never missed a note, but I don’t think he’s a killer (anymore). Jerry Lee Lewis had the stoop of a septuagenarian as he shuffled on and off the stage several times during a four hour PBS-special taping Thursday evening in NYC. He forgot lyrics, skipped verses, stepped on solos, and was the reason why his band ended up doing each song 2 or 3 times. But don’t think for a minute that the audience minded—the repetition was an utter delight. If seeing Chris Isaak sing “Somewhere over the Rainbow” with Jerry Lee was sweet once, twice was heaven.

Isaak wasn’t the only guest artist to take the stage alongside Lewis for a few songs during the night. The line of luminaries was impressive, indeed: Don Henley, Solomon Burke, Ron Wood (who melted into the house band and never left stage again), Norah Jones, Buddy Guy, Tom Jones, and Kid Rock. Jimmy Rip, the producer of Lewis’s new duets album, Last Man Standing (Artists First), was the on-stage musical director and acoustic guitar player. He was integral, moved things along, and kept Jerry focused (which appeared to be a big job). Jim Keltner dictated the pace on the drums and was one of several master house band musicians who created the perfect backdrop for magic.

If you’ve never had a chance to do it, I can tell you: attending a taping for television is an experience in itself. There are headset-clad dark-costumed people scurrying around, herding audience members here and there in order to avoid getting hit in the head with the swooping boom camera. Others crouch to the floor, guiding wires and cords to safe havens while making sure that no one trips. And, as I alluded to before, TV’s about getting it right. So there’s plenty of repetition, repetition, repetition.

It was a good crowd. The first two rows in front of the stage were filled with rented beautiful people young enough to be Lewis’s grandchildren. (This particular group was from Project Runway). I was in the first row of “real fans,” some dressed in ’60s garb, many industry types, other musicians. Though the taping took four hours, no one left early. In fact, though there were tables and chairs in the back, most of us were standing. We stayed because we were enchanted and amazed.
I keep remembering great moments, like Buddy Guy and Ron Wood trading guitar licks ten feet in front of me, or Norah Jones sing perfect harmony to Jerry Lee’s “My Cheating Heart.” The legendary Solomon Burke’s slot was early in the program. Once seated in his throne and ready to go–he’s a little too big these days to stand for long–Lewis asked for the first line of the song. Rip tried to help by feeding him the lyric, but Jerry Lee snapped back quickly with: “That’s not right”. Solomon wasted no time, quipping: “Yeah. But can you make it work?” I bet the Project Runway kids felt right at home.

–Louise Coogan