Majk Stoler: Elvis was a perfectionist

Mike Stoller, the legendary songwriter and producer, remains closely connected to the legacy that shaped the music of the 20th century.

During the Los Angeles premiere of "EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert," the 92-year-old Stoler reflected on his experiences with Elvis Presley, the artist who defined an entire generation.

As Presley's collaborator during his most productive studio years, Stoller witnessed the singer's discipline and tireless work.

"He had tremendous strength and stamina, he could sing non-stop," Stoler recalled in an interview with PEOPLE.

In tandem with the late Jerry Leiber, Stoller created some of Presley's most famous hits, including "Jailhouse Rock" (1957) and "Hound Dog" (1952), songs that became key to his catalog and helped him win over a wider audience.

In addition, the duo also wrote Ben E. King's cult hit "Stand By Me" (1961), which continues to inspire performers of various genres today.

One of Stoller's fondest memories is of the recording of "Jailhouse Rock." In April 1957, he and Leiber took over the studio session and immediately struck up a good rapport with Elvis.

"We got to the ninth try and said, 'Elvis, this is perfect.' And he said, 'No, I can do better.' We ended up getting to the 38th try. When we played him the ninth, he said, 'You're right. It's good,'" Stoler said, adding that this detail shows Presley's perfectionism, even when everyone else was good enough, he wouldn't be satisfied until he was sure.

The premiere of the documentary "EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert", directed by Baz Luhrmann, is a sequel to the 2022 film "Elvis" and highlights how Presley's story continues to live on screen decades after his death.