“They weren’t playing Jerry’s music”: Lewis’ widow details issues with Beale St. club

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The wife of the late, great Jerry Lee Lewis is speaking out for the first time regarding her husband’s former club, Jerry Lee Lewis’ Honky Tonk on Beale Street.

“Not only were they not playing his music, they weren’t keeping up the building,” Judith Lewis said.

The club will now have a new name and be under new ownership.

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A decision that the widow said she’s happy to see.

“I said, ‘Look. If y’all do not get the sign down and do what he wanted, then I’ll hire a crane and come down and get it down myself,” Lewis said.

Almost two years after his death, Judith Lewis told WREG that she is still mourning the death of her husband.

Jerry Lee Lewis, a Rock N Roll icon, passed away at the age of 87 in October of 2022.

However, Judith said many fans might not know that before he died, he was in an uphill battle with the former owners of his namesake Beale Street club.

“He told them that he wanted no part of it because it was not playing his music and it was just not what he thought it should be,” Lewis said.

Jerry Lee Lewis’ Cafe and Honky Tonk opened in 2013, providing fans the opportunity to hear live rock n roll music.

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Judith said she and her husband frequently visited the club for special occasions. However, four years ago, she said they noticed the club was different.

“They weren’t playing Jerry’s music,” Lewis said. “They were playing all kinds of other music and none of his music. They got rid of his band members that was playing down there and all the rock n’ roll bands.”

Judith said her husband told the former owners since the club no longer promoted his music, he wanted his name removed from the building, but it didn’t happen immediately.

Jerry Lee Lewis died without seeing his request come true.

So, she continued pushing for the removal of his name after his death.

“It would sort of be like if you went down to Graceland and you walked into Elvis’ and they were playing Frank Sinatra all throughout Graceland and they weren’t doing Elvis,” Lewis said. “That’s how Jerry felt.”

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Almost two years after his death, the club has been sold to new owners and will go by a new name.

Judith said that while she’s pleased that her husband’s wishes are finally coming true, she’s still disappointed.

“I never expected Memphis to turn his rock n roll cafe into something that bad,” Lewis said.

Kevin Kane, the president of Memphis Tourism, told WREG he does not know the new owners’ plan for the building, but confirmed that Lewis’ name will not be a part of any new concept.

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