What made Jerry Lee Lewis great, his ability to play piano? No, there are many piano players who would make his skills sound like a beginner.
John...I would have to differ with you there (but I get the point you are making). But Jerry Lee WAS the piano. You couldn't tell where he ended and the piano began. It was like an appendage to him. He found his niche with that instrument and carried the ball all the way to the goal line (and the gold mine).
He was new, nobody ever did what he did with so much freedom. He was playing what was inside of him, and he used the piano to do it.
Yes....that's what I was trying to say myself...."absolutely no inhibitions to get in the way"
he had freedom, he did not care what anybody thought, he was going to do his thing. Oh, how I love it.