R.I.P Jerry Leiber and Nickolas Ashford

Two songwriting greats passed away today. Jerry Leiber was one half of the legendary songwriting team of Leiber and Stoller. Together with Mike Stoller he wrote such rock classics as Hound Dog, Kansas City, Jailhouse Rock, Charlie Brown, Stand By Me and There Goes My Baby. Jerry Leiber was 78 years old.

Click here to listen to Hound Dog recorded by Big Mama Thornton in 1953:

Together with his wife Valerie Simpson, Nickolas Ashford wrote a slew of hits for Motown including Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Reach Out and Touch Somebody’s Hand, Let’s Go Get Stoned and Ain’t Nothing Like The Real Thing. Ashford and Simpson also scored a hit for themselves with Solid (As A Rock). Nickolas Ashford was 69 years old.

Click here to listen to Diana Ross’ 1970 recording of Ain’t No Mountain High Enough: