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Jerry Lee Lewis Skips Delta Hall Induction

Most of the residents of Ferriday, La., showed up to see Jerry Lee Lewis reunited with his famous cousins for their induction into the Delta Music Museum Hall of Fame. But Lewis stayed away because he didn't like the twin-engine plane sent to pick him up.

Lewis was scheduled to be on stage Saturday with cousins Jimmy Swaggart and Mickey Gilley. He was promised a jet plane for the event but would not ride on the twin-engine plane sent to pick them up because he had never ridden on that type of plane before, said his wife, Kerrie Lewis.

"We had a plane, but it wasn't suitable. It's suitable enough for the governor, but it wasn't for Jerry Lee Lewis," said Secretary of State Fox McKeithen. He said the plane sent to get Lewis in Memphis, Tenn., was a jet prop plane donated for use.

Swaggart, 66, a piano playing preacher, drove into town with others from his church in Baton Rouge, while Gilley, 65, a honky tonk crooner, flew his own plane from home in Pasadena, Texas. Gilley entertained the thousands of fans by singing Lewis' hit "Great Balls of Fire."


AP LogoCopyright 2002 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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