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Hound Dog
A dual portrait of the music team that shaped rock-and-roll music in the 1950s and 1960s describes their humble origins, their relationships with such performers as Elvis Presley and the Coasters, and their record-setting collaborative achievements.
- GenresMusicNonfictionBiography
336 pages, Hardcover
First published May 23, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 25, 2015
There are plenty of books about rock and roll. I have read more than a few autobiographies that don't merit an afterlife. This book is different.
You can read in other reviews how important Lieber and Stoller are to the the birth and development of this musical genre. If they didn't invent it, they were around at its inception. How these two found each other and clicked for decades of partnership is remarkable in itself. But that wouldn't raise this to the four star level.
I liked the format of direct commentary by each of them on critical events and places in their lives and the performers, A&R people, celebrities and session people that they worked with. I have sat down with several people who know that era. Lieber and Stoller ring true. Better than that, the book reads as if you were kicking back with them and just talking about interesting things. I took the book to bed each night for a dose of their vivid memories.
You can read in other reviews how important Lieber and Stoller are to the the birth and development of this musical genre. If they didn't invent it, they were around at its inception. How these two found each other and clicked for decades of partnership is remarkable in itself. But that wouldn't raise this to the four star level.
I liked the format of direct commentary by each of them on critical events and places in their lives and the performers, A&R people, celebrities and session people that they worked with. I have sat down with several people who know that era. Lieber and Stoller ring true. Better than that, the book reads as if you were kicking back with them and just talking about interesting things. I took the book to bed each night for a dose of their vivid memories.
May 20, 2017
(2 1/2). Another brick in my wall of music history/memoirs/biographies/autobiographies. Jerry Lieber and Mike Stoller are one of the, if not the, most famous song writing duos of the 50's and 60's. Two white teenagers who became an major songwriting force for R 'n' B in the 50's who then went on to become a powerhouse in the pop world of the 60"s. Truly amazing. Their portfolio is beyond compare and their story is fascinating. The presentation, however, mostly with alternating clips from each of them, is interesting but a little out of sync and dry at times. I really enjoyed this book, but it was right in my wheelhouse. Good for the diehard music afficianados. Not so much for most of anyone else.
September 14, 2022
If you love the music of the late 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond; if you love R&B and Rock & Roll, if you are a musician, you will love reading this autobiography. Leiber and Stoller were involved in most of the classic music of the Boomer generation. You will know the songs, the artists and once you’ve read this book you will know the two guys who were responsible for it all.
April 15, 2023
Fascinating story about two songwriters/music producers who, mainly in the 50's and 60's, wrote an unimaginable number of hits that are known even now.
It is worth having youtube available while reading the book, so you can hear the hits they write about. Then you end up with a greater experience.
It is worth having youtube available while reading the book, so you can hear the hits they write about. Then you end up with a greater experience.
March 18, 2023
DNF. Didn't like the way it constantly jumped from one to the other.
November 16, 2010
Good book and a light read celebrating one of the greatest song writing partnerships in the history of music. Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller played a major roll in the creation of Rock and Roll, although at the time they didn’t realize the impact they would eventually have. They just did what they loved and created magic. Written very fast and loose, like their song-writing style, the book focuses primarily on the origins of their biggest hits and also discusses their blues and jazz influences. It chronicles the genesis of the songs and lyrics and covers their tenure at the legendary Brill Building. There are numerous wonderful stories about the music business and the many characters that populated it at the time, including Elvis Presley, Peggy Lee, the Coasters and many more. There is very little dirt, except for unflattering portraits of Elvis’ manager, “Colonel” Tom Parker, and the treacherous Phil Specter. The book is presented in the form of an ongoing narrative between Jerry and Mike, as if the reader were sitting in the room as they recounted their histories. Overall, it’s an entertaining look behind the scenes of the defining music of the 1950s and 60s.
August 1, 2009
This autobiography is told in a unique style: Lieber and Stoller (L&S) take turns narrating their take on the same subjects. It is very informal which makes for a quick read. I liked it. As for the content, this is for anyone who grew up listening to pop (and blues) radio in the 50's 60's and 70's. L&S were all over the charts while writing monster hits for Elvis (Hound Dog), of course, the Drifters, the Coasters, Peggy Lee, and many many others. Also, the story of both L&S is quite interesting: how they met, their precocious understanding and passion for "the blues," the way they write their songs, and their life in the business of creating music. This book shed considerable light on the early days of "rock and roll." If you love pop music, pick up this easy read as soon as possible.
January 29, 2014
You didn't really think Elvis was a songwriter, did you? This is the story of the guys who wrote songs that changed Rock and Roll. Early R&R before the British Invasion. Remember the Coasters and their songs Yakety Yak, Three Cool Cats, Poison Ivy, Along Came Jones. Yes, Leiber and Stoller wrote most of their hits plus songs like Kansas City, Is That All There Is, and Ben E. King's unforgettable hit, Stand by Me. They were there when it was all happening' and Rock and Roll would have not been the same without them. They had some wild adventures during there climb to the top as composers including a few scary situation and many hilarious circumstances. It's a must if you have any interest at all in early Rock & Roll
July 8, 2014
Enjoyable anecdotes alternating between the two songwriters. I learned quite a few odd things along the way, like the way the Drifters were duplicated, and how the Brill Building worked. You really get a lot about the creative process of Leiber and Stoller, but it seems that when they were writing or producing they just came up with stuff -- no sharing of their magic formula here. This one doesn't get down in the weeds of how much they made on each song, but there is some bragging about how high many of the songs charted. At times, they seem a bit full of themselves, but more often, they seem pretty down to earth, with self deprecating humor. There are plenty of lyrics reproduced along the way, so fans will get to relive some of the songs and how they came about.
July 22, 2009
Great look back on the roots of rock 'n roll from the guys who arguably were some of its founders. When you start reading the list of the songs they wrote and whose performed them, you just have to be amazed at the talent of these guys. Yeah, they were into the whole drug, booze, sex scene just like the performers themselves; heck, they essentially were performers. The book gives an insight into how the songs came about and the whole process of how they became hits. Sad in some respects when you realize how much goes on behind the scenes and who decides what could be a hit. Overall, a very quick read and very interesting.
September 21, 2011
This was enjoyable mostly for the reminiscences of encounters with legendary musical figures such as Elvis, Peggy Lee and many others. Leiber and Mike Stoller were two of the main forces driving the birth of rock-and-roll in the 1950s, and remained active up through Leiber's death earlier this year. The book is told in alternating recollections of the two men, who sustained a close personal and working relationship with each other for more than 60 years, while wrestling with failed marriages, problematic business dealings with others, and shifting trends of the music scene. This book is a quick and fun journey through an amazing period of American popular music.
August 20, 2009
I am a huge Elvis fan so I was curious about this book. I was surprised how lightweight it was. Not a whole lot of insight into their lives. Just quick little vignettes of personalities and moments in their career. No look into their lives. I learned nothing new about Elvis. They took an underhanded shot at him which they didn't need to do. But what was their reaction when he died? They never mention that. Because of recent events with Phil Specter I found that section interesting. But it was very lightweight as well. A disappointing book.
March 21, 2011
Interesting read - especially if you have interest in learning what motivates (and inspires) song writers. I was especially interested to learn of Leiber and Stoller's roots in the blues. I love Big Mama Thorton's version of Hound Dog so it was cool to read how they wrote the song for her and even helped her with the production. The book goes back and forth between Leiber and Stoller - I know that is irritating for some, but I enjoyed reading the different perspectives. It is a really quick read (read it yesterday am), and it profiles their entire career.
August 18, 2009
I'd give it a 3.5 if I could. This is a series of short vignettes, some by Leiber, some by Stoller, about their lives and career. These were the masters of classic rock and populizers of R&B. Their talents were wide ranging. Would you believe that the same guys who wrote Poison Ivy and Charlie Brown also co-wrote Stand by Me and wrote Is That All There Is? A quick, enjoyable read.
October 10, 2009
This is, as others have noted, a fairly lightweight, anecdote-driven, official-story take on the great songwriting and producing team. But it's also pretty entertaining stuff that offers a sense of two Jewish East Coast kids driven nuts by blues and jazz helped change the sound of America. The great L&S biography remains to be written, but this isn't bad.
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December 12, 2009Each anecdote is better than the next one. James Dean, George Gershwin, Norman Mailer, Elvis, Big Mama Thornton, The Coasters --an unbelievable lineup here. But Lieber and Stoller might be the biggest characters of all. Hey, they were there at the birth of rock, which I guess, gives you some serious credentials.
July 25, 2013
I love learning about collaborative, professional relationships, and it was especially fun to read of the fruitful partnership between Leiber and Stoller. Lots of breakthrough, memorable music and musicians are noted in this book (including Elvis), and it was amazing to learn of the stories surrounding these beloved songs. A very good read for any non fiction, music-loving reader.
June 10, 2019
Hound Dog is a quick read, told entirely in back-and-forth comments and anecdotes from these two geniuses of R&B and early rock 'n' roll. Fans of music history probably will enjoy it as much as I did. Of a thousand great details, I think my favorite was that Speedo Carroll of the Coasters kept his day job as a public school janitor. As Stoller explained, “He believed in job security.”
June 22, 2009
If you enjoyed 50s or 60s r&b, you'll enjoy this book. A review I read, however, took issue with the facts as described by the authors.
July 25, 2009
I was intrigued by the story of these creators of so many popular songs, but found the style too choppy and disconnected, almost like reading an unedited diary with conversations thrown in.
October 16, 2009
If you grew up in the 50's listening to Rock & Roll, this is a book that will fascinate you.
April 13, 2010
Great fun even if you don't know all the characters. How could any book that uses "cats" and "hip" in it's dialogue not be a fun read?
July 31, 2011
It would make sense that two great songwriters would write their autobiography together, and it's a good one.
September 3, 2011
A fun book. Amazing library of songs that I loved while knowing nothing of the writers. Nice to know the back story of these two "kids" who started so much with little training and lots of passion.
May 5, 2013
I got this book as a gift from daughter. She knew I was a fan of their work. It's a great insight into the talents and lives of these prolific songwriters. A must read for fans of rock and pop music.
February 19, 2015
These guys wrote A LOT of great songs in the early years of rock 'n roll / R&B.
April 7, 2017
It's hard to rate a book like this. I'm giving it four stars because it won't let me give 3.5
I liked the book. I liked the format (Jerry narrates, Mike follows). It was a very interesting (to me) quick read that was informative and educational.
I liked the book. I liked the format (Jerry narrates, Mike follows). It was a very interesting (to me) quick read that was informative and educational.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews