Jerry Leiber dies, 78

Rock lyricist Jerry Leiber, 78, who along with composer Mike Stoller penned some of rock music's most memorable songs, has died in Los Angeles, his assistant has told AFP. Leiber died at Cedars-Sinai Hospital following a heart ailment, Marilyn Levy told AFP. Leiber's 60-year musical partnership with Stoller produced a massive songbook of classic rock hits, among them several performed by legendary music star Elvis Presley, including his "Hound Dog," and "Jailhouse Rock." The songwriter played a major role in the popularization of rhythm and blues music, popular among African Americans, to white audiences. In addition to Elvis Presley, Leiber and Stoller wrote songs performed by some of the top musical acts of their day, including B.B. King, James Brown, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Jimi Hendrix, Eric Clapton and Aretha Franklin. Their hit Broadway show, "Smokey Joe's Cafe" played for some 2,000 shows.