That time Jerry Lee Lewis saved a young Kansas City stripper from the hollering crowd
Show stopper
In the early 1960s, there was a bar named Genova’s Chestnut Inn at 12th and Chestnut streets that was a dive at best, but it brought music acts to Kansas City. One was Jerry Lee Lewis, who died last week. (Oct. 19, 2A, “Rock ’n’ roll rebel ignited outrage on and off stage”)
As I recall, the typical show at Genova’s was a set of 45 to 60 minutes with music and comments from the band. Then a stripper performed to recorded bump-and-grind music. At intermission of Lewis’ show, a very young woman came out in a bikini bottom and pasties and started dancing. It was immediately obvious she was in over her head, and the audience started booing and groaning.
Lewis peeked out to the stage, saw what was happening and shouted, “Stop! Stop!” He took off his sports coat, threw it around the young woman, wrapped his arm around her and escorted her off the stage. Then he came back, said “Y’all didn’t come to see that” — and put on another 20 to 30 minutes of the wildest music I’ve ever heard.
- David G. McIntyre, Leawood
Lewis’ legacy
With the passing of Jerry Lee Lewis, “the Killer,” the last man standing of four of rock ’n’ roll’s founding members is gone. He joins Chuck Berry, Fats Domino and Little Richard in the Righteous Brothers’ famous “Rock and Roll Heaven.” All four were deservedly included in the first Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
These pioneers — along with such artists as Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Rick Nelson, Ray Charles, Buddy Holly and the Everly Brothers — defined rock ’n’ roll in the 1950s and 1960s. They will long be remembered, as will their music.
- Mike Brown, Kansas City
Wheeler’s passion
Former Kansas City Mayor Charlie Wheeler was a dear friend as well as a great supporter of Kansas City jazz. He considered jazz the soundtrack that resonated through the growth, vitality and history of the city he so adored. He knew the musicians by name and loved to sit in the front row and revel in the swinging sounds they created.
His smile, serendipity and snazzy seersucker suits will be missed. Bravo, Charlie Wheeler.
- Tim Whitmer, Kansas City
World of books
If you really want to protect your children from the danger lurking on the pages of books, consider this: They have access to every nasty and vile thing via the internet on their electronic devices. They can read, search for and watch videos of everything — without leaving the house, and maybe without you knowing what they see.
Books demand effort on the part of the reader. There is a story involved in a book. Reading requires thought, consideration, contemplation. Your children have to actively go into a library and find what they want to read. There is effort involved. There is thoughtfulness and background in a book.
It’s appalling we’re trying to take that freedom of choice from our kids.
- Shirley Lewis, Overland Park
In the mail
Two years ago, a lifelong friend in New York was diagnosed with cancer. I thought a game of postcard chess might help distract him from the appointments and treatments, so I sent postcards, postage and a score sheet.
With no computers, texts, email or online moves, he’d have lots of time to ponder each move. Except for a shared spreadsheet, updated only on receipt of a move, we play by traditional rules.
But mail sometimes takes weeks to arrive, and sometimes not all. His last move took 10 days, far from the only such stretch.
We long ago abandoned postcards because they disappear, never to be delivered.
I have great respect for postal workers and have spoken with several about the disastrous management of the U.S. Postal Service. They are sympathetic, frustrated and, for some, counting the days to retirement. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has made it his mission to dismantle an incredibly effective agency.
One chess game between friends makes little difference, but the stakes are much higher for all of us as a once-reliable and great institution implodes.
My friend is in remission, with excellent prospects, except in chess.
- Robert Sommer, Olathe
As they do
Liquor, gambling, marijuana, misogyny, lying for profit, separating children from parents — it’s great that Christians have embraced sin for profit again.
Where’s the golden calf? Being questioned by the Department of Justice, I guess.
- John Lancaster, Plattsburg, Missouri
