Jazz Fest 2007

Lewisiana
by Francis X. Pavy

Note: Jerry Lee Lewis passed away in 2022. The C-Marques, ReMarques & Proof editions are signed by him.

Thirty-third in the series. One hundred and eighty-three miles upriver from New Orleans off Highway 61, Ferriday, LA made rock and roll history when it gave Sun Records “The Killer” Jerry Lee Lewis. This longhaired, piano-banging eccentric was rock’s first honest-to-God wild man. He took Louisiana to Memphis and founded the state of “Lewisiana.” Lewis’ first #1 hit in 1957 “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On,” was recorded in one take. His next release, “Great Balls of Fire” – amazingly just Lewis and a drummer – did even better. More hits followed, including “High School Confidential,” some of the lyrics of which, along with those from “Lewis Boogie,” are on the curtain behind him in the poster. At his peak, the career of this charter member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame rivaled that of Elvis. Rolling Stone ranks him #24 on its list of “Top 100 Artists of All Time” (next to another Louisiana immortal, Fats Domino).

Internationally renowned Lafayette, LA painter Francis X. Pavy, creator of the sold-out 1997 Jazz Festival poster of the Neville Brothers, is back with a star turn portrait of his fellow Lewisianian. Pop colors, iconic imagery and spatial anomaly fuse into a contemporary time-compressed fantasy: A mid-20th century Killer at a 20th century Jazz Fest night concert, pounding into the 21st century. In this exploration, Pavy focuses on his favorite themes; themusic and cultural curiosities of Louisiana juxtaposed against the fabric of popular American culture. Dubbed “the Picasso of Zydeco” by Rolling Stone, his work is in the private collections of Paul Simon, Bob Dylan and Jimmy Buffett, among others. 

Editions:

Poster originally sold for $69 (Unsigned), $239 (Artist-Signed), $595 (Re-Marque), $895 (C-Marque)

Poster and specifications may vary slightly.

Image © 2007 NOJ&HF, Inc. / Text ©2007-2008 ProCreations Publishing Company