Elvis Presley, Leiber & Stoller and Jailhouse Rock

Jerry Leiber: I called and asked to speak to (Colonel) Tom. He got on the phone and said (Leiber imitates Parker) 'How you doin' boy?' I said, 'I'm OK. I had a real close call there. I had walking pneumonia and I just got out of the hospital.' He said he wanted me to pack right away and catch a plane. I told him I wasn't in any shape to catch a plane because I'd just gotten out of the hospital. He said, 'If they let you out, that means you're all right'. I told him I needed a day or two to get myself together, but he said the schedule was very tight and he needed me to come out right away.

Then he said, 'Did you see the contract yet?' I said, contract?' He said, 'I'm sure it's there by now. It's a contract covering the forthcoming movie and soundtrack album. You better take a look, sign it and send it back. So I hung up, took the contract out of one of the manila envelopes, and saw nothing but a blank page. Nothing was written on it except two lines at the bottom where Mike and I were supposed to sign our names.

I thought they had made a ridiculous blunder. I called Parker's secretary and said, 'There's been a mistake', she said, 'Let me get Tom.' Colonel Parker got on the phone and I told him, 'There's a piece of paper here with two places for signatures, but the contract is missing'. He said, 'There's no mistake - just sign it'. Then he said, 'Don't worry. We'll fill it in later'.

I got off the phone with Parker and immediately called Mike. I told him, 'Breaking up with the Presley outfit is like throwing away a license to print money. After all this work, I really hate to do it, but I am really offended' (When I was on the phone with Parker, I almost told him that I wasn't one of his 'okie dokies'). I told Mike I didn't want to work with this jerk anymore.

I asked Mike, 'How do you feel about this?' Now Mike is a very measured and modest with very good manners. He paused for a moment, and then he said, Jer ....tell him to f**k himself!'

So I called Colonel Parker back and said, 'Tom, I thought about what you told me'. He said, 'Good! What time are you gonna get here?' I said, 'Tom, I spoke to Mike about the contract, and he told me to tell you to go f**k yourself'.

I hung up, and I never spoke to him again.

Excerpt above from the book, Writing For T he King FTD Book & 2 CD By Ken Sharp.

Interview with Leiber And Stoller : The Masters Behind the Masters

Mike Stoller: I guess it must have been in April of '57 that we met Colonel Parker for the first time. It happened over dinner at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Jean Aberbach was the conduit.

'The Colonel wants to see you in person before you meet Elvis' said Jean.

'Is this an audition?' I asked.

'The Colonel is very careful about who he lets into Elvis' circle'.

'I'm very careful about who I have dinner with' said Jerry.

Jean didn't laugh' Just be on your best behavior' he told us both.

Jerry Leiber: Of course, the Colonel wasn't really a colonel. He was Thomas A. Parker, whose former job as a carnival barker defined his personality. He had a definite shtick ('Pick a number from one to ten'). He told dozens of canned jokes. I can't remember any of them except that they weren't funny. But it didn't matter that we didn't laugh, because the Colonel wasn't really conscious of us. Of course, he knew we were the songwriters of 'Hound Dog' and the new songs for Jailhouse Rock. He knew more hit songs for Elvis meant more money for him. Beyond that, though, he was more interested in putting on his own show than getting to know us.

He had his long cigar and his confected Southern accent. He was fat and smart and a nonstop talker whose ego was always on parade. He told us in great detail all he had done for Elvis - and all he intended to do.

'Elvis' he said, 'is going to be bigger than the president, bigger than the pope'.

Naturally we agreed.

Mike Stoller: The Colonel had the kind of energy that sucked all the air out of the room, even the dining room at the Beverly Hills Hotel. I had little interest in the man. Elvis was the guy we were eager to meet.

The session was due to start later that week.

Jerry Leiber: My heterosexual credits have long been established, so I can comfortably say that the first thing that hit me when I walked into the recording studio and found myself standing next to Elvis Presley was his physical beauty. Far more than his pictures, his actual presence was riveting.

He had a shy smile and quiet manner that were disarming.

All this happened at Radio Recorders Annex, the same studio where Big Mama had recorded 'Hound Dog' back in August of 1952. Elvis wanted us there to produce the songs for the soundtrack we'd written for him.

Mike Stoller: It's important to remember that on the day we met Elvis, he was twenty-two and we were twenty-four. We were contemporaries. Remember, too, that Jerry and I shared the uppity view that he and I were among the few white guys who knew about the blues.

In the first five minutes of conversation with Elvis, we learned we were dead wrong.

Elvis knew the blues. He was a Ray Charles fanatic and even knew that Ray had sung our song 'The Snow Is Falling'. In fact, he knew virtually all of our songs. There wasn't any R&B he didn't know. He could quote from Arthur 'Big Boy' Crudup, B.B. King, and Big Bill Broonzy.

Jerry Leiber: When it came to the blues, Elvis knew his stuff. He may not have been conversant about politics or world history, but his blues knowledge was almost encyclopedic. Mike and I were blown away. In fact, the conversation got so enthusiastic that Mike and Elvis sat down at the piano and started playing four-handed blues. He definitely felt our passion for the real roots material and shared that passion with all his heart.

Just like that, we fell in love with the guy.

'Let's get started' Elvis said. 'Let's cut some records'.

We jumped right into 'Jailhouse Rock'. The initial idea was just to show up at the studio to meet Elvis. But, as naturally as the winter turns to spring, we found ourselves in charge of the session. We were producing the guy. Mike worked out the arrangement with Elvis' band - Bill Black on upright bass, Scotty Moore on guitar, D.J. Fontana on drums, and Dudley Brooks on piano. As far as the vocals went, I was amazed to see that Elvis was happy to hear me sing the song with what I considered the right attitude.

He was following my vocal cues.

Mike Stoller: Elvis was completely open and never acted like a diva. When it was time to do the actual recording, Jerry was in the control booth and I stayed on the floor. I played piano on one cut, and Jerry, with his unique style of body language, conducted Elvis' vocals.

The other thing that amazed us was that no one was rushing us to get through. During a recording session, Jerry and I were used to watching the clock. The musicians' union allowed four songs in three hours or you got into the dreaded overtime. On Elvis' sessions, though, those restrictions were lifted. The Jordanaires (Elvis' backup vocal quartet), the guys in the band and Elvis' paid companions (the so-called Memphis Mafia) would order lunch - peanut butter sandwiches and orange pop - while the clock kept ticking.

Mike Stoller: He was constantly singing. Between songs, he would sing a hymn. He would go to the piano and play a few chords and sing a hymn.He had The Jordanaires with him. And they'd come in behind him. That's what he wanted to do all the time. Jerry Leiber: 'Nearer My God To Thee'. Stuff like that. White Baptist hymns.

Sometimes we'd do two or three takes on a song; sometimes up to twenty-five. And yet, even in this relaxed atmosphere, by evening time we'd cut three songs.

At the end of the day, Elvis was as high on the music as Jerry and I. That was a Wednesday. Elvis didn't show up at the studio on Thursday, but he was back on Friday to do the fourth song, '(You're So Square) Baby I Don't Care'.

Jerry Leiber: The fourth song was the most fun because by then Elvis was deep into our producing style. Our style wasn't anything more than being loose and having fun.

Elvis' initial shyness had totally melted away and he was completely in the spirit of the music. He actually picked up an electric bass and kicked off the intro to 'Baby I Don't Care'. It also pleased me no end that even when I thought we had a perfect vocal take, Elvis would want to do another - and then another. Each one would be better. He was digging deep and coming up with great new ammunition.

On our final day at Radio Recorders, when we had all gotten friendly and were listening to the playbacks, Elvis was slapping us on the back and telling us we were the baddest cats in town. A couple of the guys from MGM dropped by and listened as well. Elvis was singing our praises when one of the men - he might have been the casting director - looked at me and said, 'He looks like a piano player'.

'He's not' said Elvis. 'That's Leiber. Leiber writes the lyrics'.

'Well, he still looks like a piano player' the casting director repeated.

'The piano player's over there' said Elvis, pointing to Mike'. He writes the music'.

'How 'bout if we get Leiber to play the part of the piano player in the movie?' asked the casting director'. All he has to do is run his fingers over the keys. Any fool can do that'.

'Thank you' I said, 'for the vote of confidence. But Mike's the piano player'.

'No, you go ahead, Jerry' said Mike in his customarily generous manner'. This is your big break. I don't want to deny you your screen debut'. So it was set: Jailhouse Rock, starring Elvis Presley and introducing Jerry Leiber.

A publicity photograph with Mike Stoller, Elvis holding some sheet music for 'Jailhouse Rock' and Jerry Leiber.

Mike Stoller: On the morning that filming was to begin, Jerry called me.

'I got a problem. I can't make it' he said.

'Why?' I asked.

'I'm dying'.

'Well, dying is definitely a problem. What's wrong, Jer?'

'A toothache from hell. You gotta replace me'.

'But they want you' I reminded him.

'They'll never know the difference'.

When I got to MGM Studios, they told me to shave off my goatee.

'It's a scene stealer' they said.

I showed up on the soundstage, went to wardrobe, where they put me in a Hawaiian shirt. I ended up in all the scenes where Elvis sang with the band. I never uttered a word. I wasn't allowed to. Because I wasn't in the Screen Actors Guild, I couldn't talk on screen.

Naturally, Elvis was the focus of attention. You couldn't help but notice his naturalness and ease as an actor. Yet, on at least one occasion, I noticed something else: his underlying insecurity.

It happened when Elvis walked through an area where the extras and bit-part players were sitting around. As he passed by, someone told a joke and everyone began to laugh.

Elvis wheeled around and angrily said, 'I bet you think you're really hot'.

He had thought they were laughing at him. They weren't. I know; I was there. Elvis walked away, mumbling.

One day he approached me as we were leaving the set.

'Mike' he said, 'I want you to write me a real pretty ballad'.

'I'll get right on it'.

That was on a Friday.

Saturday morning, Jerry and I got together and wrote 'Don't'. On Sunday, we got Young Jessie of the Flairs to sing the demo in an Elvis-like mode. (Jessie had recently substituted for Leon Hughes on the Coasters' recordings of 'Searchin' and 'Young Blood'.)

I brought 'Don't' to Elvis on the set that Monday. He liked it, recorded it, and by January of the following year - 1958 - it hit #1, only three months after 'Jailhouse Rock' had also gone to the top. You'd think we'd be heroes. But in the court of the King, it didn't work that way.

Hoyt Hawkins, Elvis with upturned guitar in hand, Gordon Soker, Hugh Jarrett and Dudley Brooks.

Jerry Leiber: I get a call from Freddy Bienstock.

'What is your partner doing giving a song to Elvis Presley?' he asks. Freddy sounds enraged.

'Has Elvis decided to stop singing?' I ask.

'No, that's not the point'. Now Freddy's yelling.

'Freddy' I say, 'what's the problem, man? Did Elvis hate the song?'

'No, the problem is that he likes it'.

'That's a problem?' I ask.

'It is when we don't have a contract. Nothing's written down. You just don't hand a song to Elvis without a contract. In fact, you don't hand a song to Elvis at all. You hand a song to me or to Jean Aberbach.

Then we get the business straight first'.

'Well, when Mike and I wrote the song, we presumed the business would be the same as all business with Elvis. The Colonel is going to demand that Elvis and the Aberbachs own the publishing rights, right?'

'Right'.

'And we'll give them the publishing rights, just like before. So again I ask the question: what's the problem?'

'It's a question of procedure. The Colonel hates it when anyone goes behind his back'.

'Mike didn't go behind his back. Mike's a straight shooter. Mike 's the original straight shooter. Elvis asked him to write a ballad for him and we did. Beginning and end of story'.

'You still don't get it'.

'Maybe I don't want to get it, Freddy. But it really doesn't matter because Elvis has the ballad he asked for.

And he'll have another hit. And all's well that ends well'.

'If only it were that easy'.

'It is, man' I say 'Believe me, it is'.

Mike Stoller: Another critical Colonel moment came during the shooting of Jailhouse Rock.

After a long day on the soundstage, Elvis invited me back to the Beverly Wilshire, where he was staying.

He'd had a pool table set up in his suite.

'Wanna shoot a game?' Elvis asked me.

'Sure' I said.

This was after he'd recorded our four songs for the soundtrack and after I'd given him 'Don't'. At this point Elvis was a big Leiber and Stoller fan and was telling everyone we were his 'good luck charms'.

'Whenever I record' he said, 'I want you guys in the studio. You're the guys who make the magic'.

Music to my ears.

Elvis' companions, the Memphis Mafia, were all there. They were drinking Cokes and waiting for their turn at the pool table. On the radio, the DJ was playing 'Ruby Baby' a song we'd written for the Drifters.

Elvis was actually singing along with the record:

I've got a gal and Ruby is her name
Ruby Ruby Ruby Baby
She don't love me, but I love her just the same
Ruby Ruby Ruby Baby
Ruby Ruby how I want ya
Like a ghost I'm gonna haunt ya
Ruby Ruby, when will you be mine

'Hey, Mike' said Elvis, 'how do you guys write all these great songs?'

'Well, Elvis' I said, 'we just kinda sit down and jam'.

'It's amazing to me. I guess I just ain't much of a writer'.

'You don't have to write songs. You're Elvis'.

With that, Elvis gave me one of those gosh-darn expressions. At that point in his career, he was still humble.

As our game went on, I was taking careful aim at the nine ball, trying to sink it and not scratch. I looked up for a second and suddenly there was no one in the room but me. Where the hell had everyone gone?

A couple of minutes went by. When Elvis returned, his head was down and his demeanor totally changed.

'I'm really sorry, Mike', he said, 'but you're gonna have to leave. The Colonel came in and he doesn't want anyone here but me and the guys'. 'Okay' I said, not wanting to make any more trouble. And with that, I left. The next day at the shoot I mentioned the incident to one of Elvis' Memphis buddies. 'Don't take it personally, Mike' he said 'It's just that the Colonel doesn't want Elvis to develop a friendship with anyone but us'.

Jerry Leiber: A couple of months after Jailhouse Rock wrapped, Mike and I were still living in LA when we got a frantic call from Freddy Bienstock. 'Elvis is cutting a Christmas album' he said, 'and they're a song short.

He wants you guys to write something for him'.

'When?'

'Today'.

Next thing I know, Mike and I are driving over to Radio Recorders on Santa Monica Boulevard.

When we walk in, Elvis is all smiles.

'My good luck charms are back!' He 's beaming.

The Colonel is scowling.

'You got the song?' the Colonel wants to know.

'We just got the call' I say.

'Write me something good' says Elvis.

'Write it right now' says the Colonel.

Mike and I go into a mixing room where there 's an upright piano in the corner.

'You know what, Mike' I say 'Let's not screw around with anything overly inventive. Let's write this guy a straight-up, no-nonsense twelve-bar blues with a Christmas lyric. What do you say?'

'Okay by me'.

I start singing:

Hang up your pretty stockings
And turn off the light
'Cause Santa Claus is coming down your chimney tonight

It takes us about fifteen minutes. When we come back into the studio, I say, 'Okay, we got it'.

'What took you so long?' the Colonel asks.

'Writer's block' I say.

The Colonel doesn't laugh and the Colonel doesn't smile when we run down the song for Elvis. I know the Colonel thinks it's too bluesy and too black, but just before he can say anything, the King speaks out.

'Now that's what I call a goddamn great Christmas song!' he tells the Colonel, 'I told you these guys would come through'. And with that, Elvis proceeds to sing the [expletive] out of it.

He does it in just a couple of takes. When he's through, he puts his arms around me and Mike and says, 'Whenever I record, you guys are gonna be with me'.

For me, 'Santa Claus Is Back in Town' lives on as one of Elvis' great blues performances. It took him back to his Beale Street roots, a place where he was always comfortable.

Mike Stoller: Given Elvis' enthusiasm for our work, I wasn't surprised that we got a call from Jean Aberbach inviting us to his LA office, which was housed in a big home on Hollywood Boulevard.

'The Colonel wants to manage you' he said.

'We're unmanageable' Jerry was quick to retort' Everyone knows that'.

'This isn't a joke' Aberbach insisted.

'I wasn't joking' said Jerry'. We don't need management'.

'Is that how you feel, Mike?' asked Aberbach.

'Absolutely'.

'The Colonel feels he can do great things for your career' said Aberbach, 'and he'd like you to sign these contracts'. He handed us blank pieces of paper with only a signature line.

'Are you kidding?' we asked.

'No' Jean answered'. The Colonel said we can fill it in later, but basically, it's a matter of mutual trust'.

The Colonel got over our rejection of his offer. We knew that because we got a call late in 1957 that Elvis wanted more Leiber and Stoller songs. By then Jerry and I had made a permanent move to New York - more on that shortly - and went back to the Coast for a series of meetings.

The first was with Ben Hecht, the great Hollywood screenwriter, who had written, among many important works, Notorious for Alfred Hitchcock and The Front Page. Hecht had been in touch with us about an idea of Jerry's, a musical based on Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. Despite the week we spent with him at his beach home in Oceanside, California, the project never materialized. Welcome to Hollywood.

The second reason we had returned to LA was Elvis. He wanted us to write songs for his new movie, King Creole. It was based on Harold Robbins's novel A Stone for Danny Fisher, and the screenplay suggested some real substance. We submitted four songs - 'King Creole', 'Trouble', 'Steadfast, Loyal and True', and 'Dirty Dirty Feeling', Elvis liked all four. ('Dirty Dirty Feeling' was dropped from the score, but two years later, when Elvis got out of the army, he remembered the tune and recorded it.) We worked in the studio with Elvis and, just like the Jailhouse Rock sessions, the rapport was good and the atmosphere relaxed. The Colonel may have been resentful that we turned down his offer for management, but when Elvis was happy - and whenever we were around, he seemed happy - the Colonel wasn't about to complain.

View more photos from Jailhouse Rock

Jailhouse Rock : MGM 1957
Elvis Presley's Best Song Writers
Mike Stoller recalls day he survived a wreck and discovered his Elvis hit

Photos Courtesy : Elvis Presley Photos

Excerpted from Hound Dog by Jerry Leiber Mike Stoller David Ritz Copyright © 2009 by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. Excerpted by permission. All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted.

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