Lyricist known for Fever, Great Balls of Fire, Don't Be Cruel, and All Shook Up. He influenced rock and roll.
He learned how to play the piano when he was a child.
He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1986 and the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1991.
He married Mamie Wiggins.
He wrote songs for Elvis Presley.