I have the 45 of Willie Mae Thornton's "Hound Dog," on the Peacock label. It credits Leiber & Stoller as writers. It also credits the musicians as "Kansas City Jack and His Orchestra." I've always wondered who they were. Thanks for revealing their true identity.
And just to make things more interesting...Johnny Otis: white guy. Real name John Veliotes. His brother Nicholas was at one time American ambassador to Egypt.

Famous story Leiber and Stoller told in interviews prior to Broadway opening of "Smokey Joe's Cafe," a revue of their songs:
Stoller (not both) was on the Andrea Doria, survived the shipwreck, arrived in NYC on another ship. Leiber greets him at the dock, informs him they have a big hit on their hands with "Hound Dog." "Willie Mae Thornton?" Stoller asks. "No," says Leiber, "Some kid named Elvis Presley."