Songwriter Jerry Leiber Has Died

Songwriter Jerry Leiber has died unexpectedly of cardiopulmonary failure, according to published reports. He was 78.

Leiber, with longtime partner Mike Stoller, wrote such hits as “Hound Dog,” “Jailhouse Rock,” ‘Yakety Yak,” “On Broadway,” and “Is That All There Is?,” for which they won a Grammy Award. Another one of their songs, “Smokey Joe’s Café,” provided the title for the Tony Award-nominated revue that played on Broadway from 1995-2000 showcasing the duo’s work.

Leiber and Stoller’s music has also been used in numerous other shows, including Million Dollar Quartet, Ring of Fire, All Shook Up, and Bob Fosse’s Dancin’.

Leiber, with Stoller, penned a memoir in 2009, Hound Dog: The Leiber & Stoller Autobiography and the duo was inducted into the non-performer category of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.

Leiber is survived by three children and two grandchildren.