Legendary song writer/producer Jerry Leiber, one of the most important figures in the history of rhythm and blues and rock & roll, died yesterday of cardio pulmonary failure at the age of 78.

Leiber, along with partner Mike Stoller, shared a deep love of black music and were staunch proponents of Rhythm and Blues in the early Fifties. Soon thereafter they helped to usher in the early, volatile days of the Rock and Roll Revolution. In 1955 Atlantic Records signed Leiber and Stoller to the first independent production deal in the music industry.

Some of the songs written by Leiber and Stoller include “Kansas City”, “Hound Dog”, “Young Blood“, “Yakety Yak”, “Jailhouse Rock”, “On Broadway”, “Stand by Me”, “Only in America”, “Ruby Baby”, “Love Potion #9″ and “Is That All There Is?”

In 1985 Leiber and Stoller were inducted into the Song Writers’ Hall of Fame. The following year they entered the Record Producers’ Hall of Fame. And in 1987, Leiber and Stoller were elected to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

See the king of Doo Wop, Dion, performing “Ruby Baby” on the David Letterman show in the late 1980′s…