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From left: Mike Stoller and Elvis Presley in 1957 <\/p>\nFrom left: Mike Stoller and Elvis Presley in 1957 <\/p>\n
Michael Ochs Archives\/Getty<\/p>\n
NEED TO KNOW<\/p>\n
In February, Mike Stoller attended the Los Angeles premiere of EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert<\/p>\n
Director Baz Luhrmann, John Stamos, Austin Butler, Bob Odenkirk, Tallulah Willis and Scout Willis were also present<\/p>\n
During the event, the 92-year-old songwriter and producer talked to PEOPLE about his favorite memory of working with Elvis Presley<\/p>\n
Iconic songwriter and producer Mike Stoller remains closely tied to one of music\u2019s most enduring legacies. During the Los Angeles premiere of EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert<\/a> on Feb. 18, 2026, the 92-year-old paused to reflect on the artist who helped define a generation.<\/p>\n Having worked with Elvis Presley<\/a> during some of his most productive studio years, Stoller witnessed firsthand the singer\u2019s discipline and drive. \u201cHe had great strength, had great stamina, and he could keep going and going,\u201d Stoller tells PEOPLE exclusively.<\/p>\n As one half of the influential songwriting and producing partnership with the late Jerry Leiber, Stoller helped craft some of Presley\u2019s most memorable recordings. The duo wrote 1957’s \u201cJailhouse Rock\u201d and 1952’s \u201cHound Dog,\u201d two songs that became central to Presley\u2019s catalog and helped solidify his mainstream appeal.<\/p>\n David Attie\/Getty<\/p>\n Beyond their work with Presley, Leiber and Stoller also penned Ben E. King\u2019s iconic \u201cStand By Me,\u201d a 1961 track that continues to resonate with audiences and is still covered by artists across genres today.<\/p>\n While speaking to PEOPLE, Stoller revealed that one of his favorite memories with Presley comes from the recording session for \u201cJailhouse Rock.\u201d In April 1957, he and Leiber stepped in to guide the session and quickly found their rhythm with the King of Rock \u2019n\u2019 Roll.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were working on \u2018Jailhouse Rock\u2019 and we got it going and we got to take nine,\u201d Stoller recalls. \u201cAt take nine, we said, \u2018Oh, Elvis, absolutely.\u2019 He said, \u2018No, no. I can do it better.\u2019 We got up to take 38 or something. He said, \u2018Well, let me hear that take you guys liked.\u2019 We played take nine and he said, \u2018You’re right. That’s a good one.’ “<\/p>\n The moment, Stoller suggests, captured Presley\u2019s perfectionism. Even when those in the control room were satisfied, Presley pushed himself through dozens of takes before ultimately agreeing with his collaborators.<\/p>\n Kevin Winter\/Getty<\/p>\n Never miss a story \u2014 sign up for\u00a0PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter<\/a>\u00a0to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer\u200b\u200b, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.<\/p>\n EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert spotlighted the next chapter in preserving Presley\u2019s story for modern audiences. The 2025 documentary is directed by Baz Luhrmann and serves as a follow-up to his 2022 biographical film, Elvis<\/a>. The evening underscored how Presley\u2019s story continues to evolve onscreen decades after his passing.<\/p>\n![\"From](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1771837809_521_c0eb698ca0a1526dab6135ed14e8b75a.jpeg\"\/)
From left: songwriters and producers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller in 1959 <\/p>\n![\"Mike](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/1771837810_358_3890b13c1f6f81862949592c37b4dea4.jpeg\"\/)
Mike Stoller in Hollywood, Calif. on Feb. 18, 2026 <\/p>\n