– “Rockabilly Hall of Famer Jerry Lee Lewis”
– “Rockabilly musician dies at 86”.
J.M. “Jimmy” Van Eaton, Renowned Rock ‘n’ Roll Drummer, Passes Away at 86
J.M. “Jimmy” Van Eaton, a trailblazing rock ‘n’ roll drummer known for his influential work with Jerry Lee Lewis and Billy Lee Riley, has sadly passed away at the age of 86. The news of his death was confirmed by his daughter, Terri Van Eaton Downing. Van Eaton, a Memphis native, died at his home in Alabama after battling health issues over the past year.
A Pioneer in Rock ‘n’ Roll
Van Eaton’s impressive career was largely centered around his time at Sun Records in Memphis, Tennessee. As a teenager, he joined the famous record label and quickly became known for his bluesy playing style. His rhythmic beats powered classic early-rock hits such as “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” by Jerry Lee Lewis and “Red Hot” by Billy Lee Riley. Van Eaton also collaborated with renowned musicians Bill Justis and Charlie Rich.
Born James Mack Van Eaton, he initially started playing the trumpet in a school band but soon found his true passion in drums. In a 2015 interview, he spoke about how the drums intrigued him as an instrument. Van Eaton’s talent caught the attention of Sam Phillips, the owner of Sun Records, and he eventually formed his own rock ‘n’ roll band called The Echoes.
Playing with Jerry Lee Lewis
One of Van Eaton’s most noteworthy collaborations was with legendary musician Jerry Lee Lewis. Known for his fiery temperament, Lewis was notoriously difficult to play with. However, Van Eaton proved to be the exception. Sam Phillips himself once remarked, “The one exception was JM Van Eaton.”
Van Eaton became an integral part of the musicians who performed at Sun Records throughout the 1950s. However, in the 1960s, he stepped away from the music business. It wasn’t until the 1970s, with the resurgence of interest in rockabilly following the death of Elvis Presley, that Van Eaton returned to the stage.
A Multi-Talented Musician
In addition to his work as a drummer, Van Eaton explored other avenues within the music industry. He contributed to the music for the film “Great Balls of Fire,” a biopic about Jerry Lee Lewis. Van Eaton also released a solo album in the late 1990s, showcasing his versatility as a musician.
Outside of his musical endeavors, Van Eaton spent four decades working in the municipal bond business starting from the early 1980s. Despite his success in finance, his passion for music remained unwavering.
A Lasting Legacy
J.M. “Jimmy” Van Eaton’s contributions to rock ‘n’ roll did not go unnoticed. He was honored with induction into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame and the Memphis Music Hall of Fame, cementing his place in music history.
Van Eaton is survived by his children, including daughter Terri Van Eaton Downing, as well as two sons and a stepson. Private services will be held in the coming week, according to his former wife, Deborah.
The world of rock ‘n’ roll has lost a true pioneer, but Van Eaton’s legacy will continue to inspire generations of musicians to come.
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– Rockabilly Hall of Famer
– Played behind Jerry Lee Lewis.
