Johnny Mercer

Johnny Mercer
William P. Gottlieb · Public domain · source
Name	Johnny Mercer
Birth name	John Herndon Mercer
Birth date	November 18, 1909
Birth place	Savannah, Georgia
Death date	June 25, 1976
Death place	Los Angeles, California
Occupation	Singer, songwriter, record label executive
Spouse	Ginger Meeks

Johnny Mercer was a renowned American singer, songwriter, and record label executive, best known for his work with Capitol Records, Warner Bros., and Paramount Pictures. He collaborated with numerous famous composers, including Harold Arlen, Hoagy Carmichael, and Duke Ellington, to create iconic songs for MGM Studios and 20th Century Fox. Mercer's music often featured in films starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, and Cary Grant. His songs were also performed by legendary artists such as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, and Frank Sinatra.

● Early Life and Career

Johnny Mercer was born in Savannah, Georgia, to a family of English and Scottish descent. He developed an interest in music at an early age, influenced by his mother's love of Vaudeville and the Jazz scene in New Orleans. Mercer attended Woodberry Forest School in Virginia and later moved to New York City to pursue a career in show business, where he befriended Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire. He began his career as a singer and songwriter, performing on radio stations such as NBC Radio and CBS Radio, and working with orchestras led by Paul Whiteman and Fletcher Henderson.

● Music and Songwriting

Mercer's songwriting career took off in the 1930s, with hits like Moon River and Days of Wine and Roses, which were featured in films such as Breakfast at Tiffany's and The Pink Panther. He collaborated with Henry Mancini on the score for Charade, starring Audrey Hepburn and Cary Grant. Mercer's songs were also featured in Broadway shows, including St. Louis Woman and Li'l Abner, which were produced by Harold Arlen and Burton Lane. His music was performed by renowned artists such as Louis Armstrong, Dinah Washington, and Nat King Cole, and was often recorded at Capitol Studios in Hollywood.

● Film and Theatre Work

Mercer's work in film and theatre included collaborations with MGM Studios on movies such as The Harvey Girls and Till the Clouds Roll By, which starred Judy Garland and Gene Kelly. He also worked with Warner Bros. on films like The Great Gatsby and The Petrified Forest, which featured Humphrey Bogart and Bette Davis. Mercer's music was featured in Broadway shows, including Top Banana and Li'l Abner, which were directed by Alfred Drake and Michael Kidd. His songs were also performed in nightclubs such as the Cotton Club and The Apollo Theater, which were owned by Owen Madden and Leo Brecher.

● Personal Life

Mercer was married to Ginger Meeks, a former Ziegfeld Follies dancer, and had two children, Amanda Mercer and Jeff Mercer. He was a close friend of Hoagy Carmichael and Bing Crosby, and often performed with them at Hollywood parties and charity events. Mercer was also a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in recognition of his contributions to the music industry. He was a frequent guest on The Ed Sullivan Show and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, and performed at benefit concerts for organizations such as the American Red Cross and the USO.

● Legacy and Awards

Mercer's legacy as a singer, songwriter, and record label executive continues to be celebrated today, with his music featured in films and TV shows such as The Simpsons and Mad Men. He was awarded numerous Academy Awards and Grammy Awards for his work, including Best Original Song for Moon River and Days of Wine and Roses. Mercer was also inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. His music remains popular among artists such as Norah Jones and Michael Bublé, who have recorded his songs for Blue Note Records and Reprise Records. Category:American songwriters