Jerry Leiber, who wrote lyrics for hits Hound Dog and Jailhouse Rock, has died aged 78 (AP)
AP
Jerry Leiber, who wrote lyrics for hits Hound Dog and Jailhouse Rock, has died aged 78 (AP)
Rock 'n' roll songwriter Jerry Leiber, who wrote lyrics for such hits as Hound Dog and Jailhouse Rock, has died.
Publicist Bobbi Marcus said Leiber died on Monday. He was 78.
With Leiber as lyricist and partner Mike Stoller as composer, the team channelled their blues and jazz backgrounds into pop songs performed by such artists as Elvis Presley, the Coasters and Ben E King.
Their breakout hit was blues great Big Mama Thornton's 1953 rendition of Hound Dog. Presley's version hit number one in 1956.
Their songwriting took a more serious turn in 1969 with Peggy Lee's hit Is That All There Is?
They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall in 1987