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Songwriter Says Jailhouse Rock Is Misleading

March 19, 2004 | People
Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, the songwriters of Elvis Presley's classic 'Jailhouse Rock', are incensed that a UK production is using their songtitle for a show that doesn't include the song.

In a statement Mike Stoller says "We feel that using the title of our song for their show is intentionally misleading the public. This use of a title that we created is not only misleading, it is, in effect, preventing us from using our own title for a possible future, legitimate production".

Jailhouse Rock: The Musical will open in London's West End later this month. Leiber and Stoller can do nothing about the UK show but say they will take legal action if an attempt is made to bring the show to America. "We are not the owners of the copyright outside of the US" Stoller said. "We don't know what the legal options are in the UK, but we will fight any attempt to bring this production to the United States where we do own the copyright."

Leiber and Stoller wrote not only the song 'Jailhouse Rock' in one afternoon, but also many of the songs used in the Elvis movie including "You're So Square Baby I Don't Care," "Treat Me Nice," and "I Want To Be Free."

They also wrote the other Elvis hits 'Hound Dog', 'Loving You', 'Don't' and 'Love Me'. They also wrote 'Stand By Me', On Broadway', Kansas City' 'Poison Ivy' and 'Yakety Yak'.
Source:Undercover News
GregMcGee wrote on March 19, 2004
I wholeheartedly agree with Mr. Leiber & Mr. Stoller. I mean, they wrote the Elvis classic "Jailhouse Rock" and (in my opinion should have complete legal say as to how it is used) or if not legal say, should be at least consulted on it, and definitely compensated financially.
dismas wrote on March 20, 2004
I'm with you, GregMcGee. I stand firmly with Jerry & Mike on this one. Calling a show "Jailhouse Rock" without featuring the song or getting the composers' permission to use the title is totally out of line and tantamount to a classic bait-and-switch deception of the public. The producers and creators of this show ought to be ashamed.