(JTA) — Songwriter Jerry Leiber, who with composer Mike Stoller wrote such rock ‘n’ roll hits as "Hound Dog," "Stand By Me," and "Jailhouse Rock," has died.
Leiber died Monday at a hospital in Los Angeles of cardiopulmonary failure; he was 78.
Leiber and Stoller, who met as teenagers in the 1950s, wrote 200 hits that were performed by artists including Elvis Presley, Buddy Holly, the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, James Brown, B.B. King, the Drifters and Peggy Lee.
Leiber’s first language was Yiddish, and he was frequently taunted as a child on the streets of Baltimore by a gang that called him "Jewboy."
"He was my friend, my buddy, my writing partner for 61 years," Stoller said in a statement. "He had a way with words. There was nobody better. I’m going to miss him."
Leiber and Stoller have been honored by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Songwriters Hall of Fame and numerous other music organizations.
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