Mike Stoller
Sound
Biography
Mike Stoller (1933-2021) was an American songwriter and record producer. He was part of the songwriting team Leiber and Stoller, along with Jerry Leiber. Together, they wrote many popular songs in the 1950s and 1960s, including "Hound Dog" (made famous by Elvis Presley), "Jailhouse Rock," "Stand By Me," "Yakety Yak," and "On Broadway." Stoller was born in New York City and grew up in a musical family. He met Leiber when they were both teenagers and they began writing songs together. Their first hit was "Hard Times" in 1952, recorded by Charles Brown. In addition to their work as songwriters, Leiber and Stoller also produced many of the records they wrote, including for artists like The Coasters and Ben E. King. Stoller continued to work in the music industry throughout his life and received many awards for his contributions to music, including induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He passed away on March 22, 2021, at the age of 88.
Known For
Unknown histories take center stage as the hitmakers themselves - from ABBA to T-Pain - explore dimensions of pop music you never knew existed.
This Is Pop
The story of Elvis Presley the musical artist, a comprehensive creative journey from his childhood through the final 1976 Jungle Room recording sessions.
Elvis Presley: The Searcher
Explore the art of music recording with a behind-the-scenes look at the birth of brand new sounds. Featuring more than 160 original interviews with some of the most celebrated recording artists of all time, Soundbreaking explores the nexus of cutting-edge technology and human artistry that has created the soundtrack of our lives.
Soundbreaking
After serving time for manslaughter, young Vince Everett becomes a teenage rock star.
Jailhouse Rock
A rock band is invented by the government as a cover to find hostages in a remote castle in Albania held by communist enemies of the USA.
The Phynx
An insider's look at the most famous person most people have never heard of: singer-songwriter Billy Vera.
Harlem to Hollywood
In this short film, released theatrically with Disney’s Tom & Huck and starring The Lion King’s Timon and Pumbaa, Timon absentmindedly sings the classic song 'Stand By Me' while Pumbaa gets hurt in a series of slapstick ways
Stand By Me
Home videos, TV appearances and performances from the King's early films (including Love Me Tender, Loving You, Jailhouse Rock, and King Creole) tell the story of Elvis Presley's 1950s movie career in this fascinating documentary. Also included are interviews with co-stars and remastered songs such as "Anyplace Is Paradise," "Money Honey," "Blue Suede Shoes," "Heartbreak Hotel" and "Long Tall Sally."
Elvis Presley: Elvis in Hollywood
Biography of famed record producer Phil Spector, noted for discovering and producing the records of such rock icons as The Righteous Brothers, The Ronettes and The Crystals, and who worked with such stars as Ike and Tina Turner and even The Beatles. Included is footage of him rehearsing The Blossoms in a recording studio, and interviews with two of his recording engineers who explain how his famous "Wall of Sound" was created.
Phil Spector: He's a Rebel
Smokey Joe's Cafe, Broadway's longest-running musical revue, highlights the best songs by the legendary song-writing duo, Leiber and Stoller. Included numbers are "Neighborhood", "Fools Fall In Love", "Yakety Yak", "Charlie Brown", "Jailhouse Rock", "Hound Dog", "Love Potion #9" and "Stand By Me".
Smokey Joe's Cafe: The Songs of Leiber and Stoller
Inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2024, Alabama-born Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton defied the gender norms of her time to become one of the greatest blues singers of her generation. Known for her powerful voice and uncompromising style, she rose to fame with the original recording of “Hound Dog” and later wrote “Ball & Chain,” a song that gained iconic status through Janis Joplin’s rendition.
Big Mama Thornton: I Can’t Be Anyone But Me
A look back at the girl-group craze of the 60's through archival footage and interviews with those involved.
Girl Groups: The Story of a Sound
Tom Dowd & the Language Of Music profiles the extraordinary life and legendary work of music producer/recording engineer Tom Dowd. Historical footage, vintage photographs and interviews with a who's who list of musical giants from the worlds of jazz, soul and classic rock shine a spotlight on the brilliance of Tom Dowd, whose creative spirit and passion for innovative technology helped shape the course of modern music.