Concert To Honor Duo Behind Hits Like ‘Jailhouse Rock’

Mark J. Terrill / Associated Press

 

Even if you don’t know the names Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, you surely know their body of work.

The songwriting duo is behind hits by Elvis Presley, Ben E. King, Johnny Cash, and other giants of R&B, country, and early rock and roll. The Bremen Museum and Theatrical Outfit are honoring their legacy in a show called “Baby That is Rock ‘n’ Roll: The Leiber/Stoller Era.”

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“The brilliant thing about Leiber and Stoller is that they could tell stories,” Greg Sudmeier, the music director and producer of Atlanta Audible, told City Lights host Lois Reitzes. “They told stories in their music that connected to the everyday person and they could nail that.”

The songwriting duo is responsible for hits such as “Jailhouse Rock,” “Stand By Me,” “Jackson,” and have influenced countless artists with their work.

“You can’t really say anybody ‘invented’ rock ‘n’ roll,” said Adam Koplan, the artistic director of Flying Carpet Theatre, “but they’re certainly in the vanguard of folks who helped bring rock ‘n’ roll to the center of culture in the ’50s.”

The show “Baby That is Rock ‘n’ Roll” will feature performances of songs from the Leiber and Stoller catalog as well as stories from throughout their career. The show takes place at the Bremen Museum on March 19.