In Memoriam: Jerry Lieber (1933 - 2011)

Jerry Leiber was the lyricist of the amazing songwriting duo of Leiber and Stoller. Name Doesn't ring a bell? Try:

• Kansas City
• Charlie Brown
• Black Denim Trousers and Motorcycle Boots
• Drip Drop
• Stand By Me
• Spanish Harlem 
• Fools Fall in Love
• On Broadway
• Love Potion #9
• Poison Ivy
• Hound Dog
• Yakety Yak
• Jailhouse Rock

Not a loser on that list. Not bad for two white kids from the Baltimore (Lieber) and Long Island (Stoller.)

Here's the Beatles' take on one of the early hits:



In the late 90s a Broadway show was made of their songs, Smokey Joe's Cafe (which I saw on Broadway). Here are two songs from that show (though not the Broadway show itself.)




And, in my humble opinion, Lieber and Stoller's greatest singe hit, as performed by Playing for Change- a fitting tribute.