Seniors Network

Johnny Mercer

A thankful, absolute pleasure! Commemorating the centenary of marvellous music man, Johnny Mercer. Born Savannah, Georgia, November 18, 1909, died aged 66, June 1974. Truth to tell he never lost his southern accent or his hep-hip style of life!

Johnny Mercer had a phrase for every thing, and everything in phrase - a master matching music to words, and words to music. Hence his trio of Academy Awards for In the Cool, Cool of the Evening; Moon River and The Days of Wine and Roses, we all say he should also have acclamation for such giants as Charade; Blues in the Night; Laura; I Remember You (The Fleet's In); Accentuate - The - Positive (Here Come the Waves) and literally dozens more familiar favourites which some of us warble every single day.

His play list is a phenomenon in the history of popular music!

He acted in amateur shows down South but a visit to New York so enamoured Johnny he stayed. Winning a spot on the Paul Whiteman radio show, led to his being kept on to write sketches and to sing. His big break came in Hollywood in 1933 - a lyric for Lazy Bones which The Mills Brothers recorded. Then a film for young Bing Crosby - Rhythm on The Range which featured catchy I'm An Old Cowhand.

The musical chain being added to by the day; Goody, Goody; Hooray For Hollywood; And The Angels Sing and Day In, Day Out to mention but a few. Incidentally close on two decades later he adapted the Paul Linke-German movie The Glow Warm into another glittering success for the Mills Brothers.

There he was alongside music men of note, "Whiting, Rube Bloom, Victor Shertzinger and the doyen of all, Jerome Kern.  there are no better!
With Jerry for Columbia Pictures and the starring of Fred Astaire and Rita -Hayworth, You Were Never Lovelier brought the best marital song ever:­Dearly Beloved Plainly a lyricist who knew the solemnization of marriage (see Prayer Book). Eventually there were pieces with a great friend, Hoagy Carmicheal; The lyrical, lovely Skylark and the historically correct music chart The Old Music Master.

Through all of this IM. helped to found what is now the most successful musical outlet ever - Capitol Records. If you are ever in L.A. visit their unique round building at the foot of Crossroads, Hollywood (Boulevard) and Vine (Street). Early signings for the label included Nat 'King' Cole, Margaret Whiting, Nellie Lutcher, Tenesee 'Emie' Ford, Les Paul and Jo Stafford the latter alongside The Pied Pipers singing group gave us the still splendid Dream.

Johnny Mercer came to England several times in the 1930's promoting the Blackbirds Revue and making a broadcast ;appearance with Henry Hall and The BBC Dance Orchestra, in the War years with the American G.I's and towards the end of his busy, beautiful life, with composer Andre Previn for The Good Companions celebrating J.B. Priestley's 80th birthday. The show at Her Majesty's Theatre in 1974 features one of Johnny Mercer's most poignant lyrics: The Dance of Life, Dame Judi Dench sang it in the show but by far the best is by Johnny Mercer himself

His lyrics and his own recordings are worth seeking, he was a unique talent, the same as his wonderful own lyric, most certainly Too Marvellous for Words. Johnny you will still be being sung in another one-hundred years!

N.R. Listen Radio Two BBC
Radio Z Fridav 13 November 09 Mercer Night 7-1Opm

Radio Z Sunday 15 November 09 Russell Davies 9-10pm

Neil Stevens