Tuesday’s Art Notes

Peggy Lee performs “Is That All There Is?,” a song by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller.

 
Two successful American songwriters have passed away.

Jerry Leiber, a lyricist who penned major hit songs for Elvis, the Coasters, the Drifters and Ben E. King along with his musical partner, Mike Stoller, died Monday in Los Angeles at age 78, via the Los Angeles Times.

Nick Ashford, a Motown songwriter whose collaboration with his wife Valerie Simpson produced many soul classics, has died at age 70, via The New York Times.

[After the jump, find a YouTube round-up of some of their biggest hits.]

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A toxicology report has concluded that singer Amy Winehouse, who struggled with drug and alcohol addiction, had no illegal drugs in her body at the time of her death, via The Telegraph. The report did find she had consumed alcohol, but the cause of her death is still unknown.

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The American Federation of Musicians has barred its union members from performing in the Louisville Orchestra due to contract conflicts with its management, via the Louisville Courier-Journal.

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Listen to more hits by Jerry Leiber:

“Jailhouse Rock” performed by Elvis Presley

“Stand By Me” performed by Ben E. King

“Hound Dog” performed by Big Mama Thornton:

“Stuck in the Middle With You” performed by Stealers Wheel

 
And here are some of Nick Ashford’s most memorable songs:

“You’re All I Need To Get By” performed by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

“Your Precious Love” performed by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

“I’m Every Woman” performed by Chaka Khan