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I knew there was trouble in paradise when I read this

September 26, 2003

'Great Balls of Fire': B'day party canceled

A 68th birthday party for Jerry Lee Lewis at the rock-n-roll legend's farm in Nesbit on Saturday has been canceled because The Killer will be a no show, according to his wife's Web site.

On the net

Visit the Jerry Lee Lewis Fan Club by logging on to www.jerryleelewis.com or www.jllewis. com

Kerrie Lewis has been advertising the Fifth Annual Jerry Lee Lewis World Fan Club Convention to correspond to Lewis' birthday. Fan club members paid $200 a ticket to attend.

However, one of Kerrie Lewis' Web sites an-nounced Thursday that the birthday party was off because "Mr. Lewis has canceled his appearance and does not wish for the event to be held at the Lewis Ranch."

The Web site does not mention ticket refunds. It says, "We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. The Fan Club will be providing a gathering for the ticket holders, who are devoted Jerry Lee fans, with live music, fun and food."

The Web site provides a telephone number to call for information about the gathering. A call by The Associated Press to the number got an answering machine and no call was immediately returned. Calls to the Lewis ranch went unanswered.

Jerry Lee Lewis filed a divorce petition April 16 in DeSoto County Chancery Court. Kerrie Lewis countersued in May.

Lewis is known for hits such as Great Balls of Fire and Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On. Kerrie McCarver Lewis is his sixth wife.

The two were married in 1984; they have a 16-year-old son, Jerry Lee Lewis III. It was her second marriage.

His daughter, Phoebe Lewis, said this week Jerry Lee has taken part in the birthday party for four years.

"It has become a tradition, but it has been a tradition my daddy has dreaded," she said. "He only did it for the fans."

Phoebe said her father was concerned about the $200 cost of tickets and "that she's taking all those people's money. Jerry Lee told her back in February that he was not participating in the party this year. So she's known since then."

In the invitation on the Web site, Kerrie Lewis had added the disclaimer: "JKL Enterprises, Inc., the Jerry Lee Lewis world fan club, any associates, or anyone involved in the event in any capacity, does not, cannot, and will not take responsibility for Mr. Lewis' attendance. Mr. Lewis himself is the only one that can guarantee whether he will attend or not attend."

Beth Cocke, the singer's attorney, said Kerrie lives "in a separate, mother-in-law's quarters and has refused to vacate the premises even though she has a gorgeous home in Booneville, Miss. He has purchased a home there for her at her request, a gorgeous old home on the National Historic Register."

Cocke told The Commercial Appeal newspaper of Memphis, Tenn., she has filed a motion in court asking "for a full accounting of any fees" Kerrie has received for the party.

"Mr. Lewis is horrified," Cocke said. "He doesn't want his fans to be harmed."

The couple have filed several divorce petitions during their 18-year marriage, but have reconciled each time.