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Jerry Lawson was the original lead singer of the legendary a cappella group The Persuasions, first discovered by Frank Zappa in the early '70s. During his 40-year tenure with the group, Jerry recorded 24 albums, toured internationally and sang alongside Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Paul Simon and Joni Mitchell, among others.
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Learn Moreabout PBS online sponsorshipHow to Watch Just a Mortal Man: The Jerry Lawson Story
Just a Mortal Man: The Jerry Lawson Story is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
About the Show
The inimitable Jerry Lawson, who fronted the legendary a cappella group The Persuasions, is largely responsible for creating the genre of contemporary a cappella. As lead singer and arranger of the group, Jerry recorded 24 albums over 40 years and toured the world with some of the biggest names in show business.
From humble beginnings in rural Florida, Jerry moved to NYC at age 18 to pursue his love of singing. There, he connected with four other young men on the basketball court to form their legendary group.
Discovered by Frank Zappa in the early ‘70s, The Persuasions, with Jerry at the helm as lead singer and arranger, went on to record 24 albums over 40 years and tour the world with such luminaries as Ray Charles, Liza Minnelli and Joni Mitchell. Shawn Stockman of Boyz II Men has said, “It was Jerry’s trailblazing, his musical prowess, that helped shape contemporary a cappella.” Rod Stewart has called Jerry “a true soul singer…”
In 2004, Jerry left The Persuasions to pursue a solo career. In 2015, at age 70, Jerry finally realized his dream with the release of his first solo CD to critical acclaim. But there is much more to this man than his music. In his later years, Jerry spent most of his time mentoring developmentally disabled adults.
Through his groundbreaking musical style, charismatic personality and genuine humility, Jerry was able to bridge cultures and bring joy to countless people around the world. Jerry was an amazing though often unheralded talent whose musical legacy continues to inspire new generations of singers today. Rare performance clips and in-depth interviews make this film a compelling story of joy, heartbreak and renewal.
