Jerry Leiber, the wordsmith behind such rock classics as “Hound Dog,” ”Jailhouse Rock,” and “Love Potion No. 9,” passed away this morning at Cedars-Sinai after a long illness.

Leiber, along with his songwriting partner Mike Stoller, wrote a long list of hit songs and left a lasting influence on rock n’ roll. Their songs were recorded by musical heavyweights such as Elvis Presley, Peggy Lee, Edith Piaf, Little Richard, the Beatles, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Together with Ben E. King, the duo co-wrote the 1961 hit “Stand by Me,” which has since been recorded by hundreds of artists. No offense to Jimi Hendrix, but we prefer the original King version.

More about the duo from the LA Times:

Their writing prowess and influence over the recording industry as pioneering independent producers earned them induction into the non-performer category of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1987.
Read more

PBS is developing an sure-fire pledge-break money spinning series–On Record: The Soundtrack of Our Lives, an eight-hour series tracing the history of recorded music and its impact on popular culture, (or at least on Baby Boomers, PBS’s target audience.) Series should air in 2010. Legendary Beatles producer George Martin hosts, and Kevin Spacey, who once played Bobby Darrin, is the narrator.

Fastlane Entertainment has signed a deal for the life story of Carl Perkins. Paul McCartney is on-board as well.

Frank Sinatra will be saluted in May via music, movies and the U.S. Postal Service in commemoration of the 10th anniversary of his death. Reprise Records releases Nothing But the Best, Turner Classics will air Sinatra’s films, and the Post Office issues a commemorative stamp.

And Sunday’s Grammys line-up includes a number of one of a kind duets and trios including the just announced Cornerstone of Rock performance by John Fogerty, Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard, as well as Alicia Keys and a holographic Frank Sinatra.