Michael Ball's Songwriting Partnerships
In this new six-part series Michael Ball takes an in-depth look at some of the greatest songwriting partnerships of all time.
Each week is dedicated to a different songwriting duo, exploring the songs they wrote, the artists they wrote for and the skill that goes into writing a popular song that stands the test of time. Writers featured in the series are Lieber and Stoller, Goffin and King, Cook and Greenaway, Gamble and Huff, Mason and Reid and Jagger and Richards.
Tonight’s first programme is devoted to the work of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. The pair wrote a twelve-bar blues song called Hound Dog, originally recorded by Big Mama Thornton in 1952 and then by Elvis Presley in 1956 – the rest as they say is history.
Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller went on to write more hits for Elvis as well as Peggy Lee, The Coasters and Ben E.King among others. Their songs have also featured in hit movies including Grease and Forrest Gump. Lieber and Stoller songs have been recorded by a range of artists including Shirley Bassey, Tom Jones, John Lennon and Lady Gaga, proving that a good song can stand tall in any era.
Presenter/Michael Ball, Producer/Jodie Keane
Radio 2 Publicity
Ep 1/6
Tuesday 21 February
10.00-11.00pm
BBC RADIO 2
