Jerry Leiber, the famed songwriter, passed away yesterday at 78. He was the lyricist in the songwriting duo Leiber and Stoller while Mike Stoller handled the composing. Together they penned such classic pop songs as “Hound Dog,” “Kansas City,” “Stand by Me,” “Jailhouse Rock,” and “Yakety Yak,” among many other hits which were originally performed by artists like Elvis Presley, The Drifters, and Ben E.King. In 1995 Leiber and Stoller’s catalog of hits was turned into the Broadway musical Smokey Joe’s Cafe, which was nominated for seven Tony Awards. The duo was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1985, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
Over the last half century, Lieber’s songs have influenced and been covered by hundreds, if not thousands, of artists. Watch a selection below of a few notable covers to remember the incredible songwriting legacy of Jerry Leiber.
The Blues Brothers – Jailhouse Rock (Elvis Presley cover)
Sha Na Na – Yakety Yak (The Coasters cover)
Elkie Brooks – Love Potion No. 9 (The Clovers cover)
Playing For Change – Stand By Me (Ben E. King cover)
The Beatles – Kansas City/Hey, Hey, Hey, Hey! (Little Willie Littlefield and Little Richard cover)
George Benson with Robben Ford – On Broadway (The Drifters cover)
For more information on Leiber and Stoller visit their website.
