Jerry Lieber (1933-2011)

Lyricist Jerry Lieber, writer of such hits as ‘Jailhouse Rock’ and ‘Stand By Me’ has died of heart failure, aged 78, CMU has reported.

Famed for his song writing partnership with pianist Mike Stoller, the pair composed songs for such big-name acts as Elvis Presely, Edith Piaf and Ben E King.

In 1954, the pair launched their own record label, Spark Records, which was then bought by Atlantic Records the following year, due to the success of one of their artists, The Robins. Leiber and Stoller then worked with an array of Atlantic artists, both as songwriters and producers.

Stoller’s son, Peter, said in a statement yesterday: “Jerry’s balance of natural talent and hard-won craftsmanship, of lightning wit and serious purpose, of compact form and complex content, made him not just the quintessential rock n roll lyricist, but the quintessential lyricist, period. In the history of popular songwriting, he has few equals; no superiors”.