POP CAPSULES : THE KILLER IS IN HALL-OF-FAME FORM

In his first local appearance since being named as one of 10 founding fathers inducted in the new Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame, Jerry Lee Lewis proved Friday at the Palomino that neither mid-career accolades, marital strife nor critical illness can slow the Killer down. Looking fit, relaxed and in a fine humor, Lewis moseyed from Hank Williams classics to “Over the Rainbow” to an obscure nugget of raunch called “Big Blonde Baby.”

Of course, he ran through the Killer’s greatest hits, and he still manages to set them on fire, even though he’s performed them thousands of times. Joined by guitarist James Burton (who came out of the audience to sit in), Lewis fell into perfect sync with his band on a scorching version of “Lucille.” Lewis is simply too authentic a talent to give a false reading to any song, and in addition to being the most beguiling combination of evil, innocence, irreverence and ego to ever strut out of Louisiana, he’s got rhythm and a good ear to boot.