Role

:

Composer Performer

Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

November 18, 1909 in Savannah, GA

Death

:

June 25, 1976 in Los Angeles, CA

 

Johnny Mercer was an American songwriter, composer, and singer who was born on November 18, 1909, in Savannah, Georgia. He was the son of George Anderson Mercer and Lillian Elizabeth Butler. Mercer's father was a successful attorney, and his mother was a homemaker. Mercer grew up in a wealthy family and attended the exclusive Woodberry Forest School in Virginia. Mercer's interest in music began at an early age. He learned to play the piano and started writing songs when he was just 15 years old. Mercer's first song, "Out of Breath and Scared to Death of You," was published in 1929. After graduating from Woodberry Forest School, Mercer attended the Georgia Institute of Technology for a year before dropping out to pursue a career in music. In the early 1930s, Mercer moved to New York City and began working as a lyricist. He collaborated with several composers, including Richard Whiting, Harry Warren, and Hoagy Carmichael. Mercer's first big hit was "Lazybones," which he wrote with Carmichael in 1933. The song was recorded by several artists, including Ted Lewis and Mildred Bailey. Mercer continued to write hit songs throughout the 1930s and 1940s. He wrote the lyrics for "Jeepers Creepers," "Hooray for Hollywood," and "You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby," among others. Mercer also wrote the lyrics for several Broadway shows, including "St. Louis Woman" and "Li'l Abner." In addition to his work as a lyricist, Mercer was also a successful singer. He recorded several albums and had several hit songs, including "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive," "On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe," and "Blues in the Night." Mercer's career continued to flourish in the 1950s and 1960s. He wrote the lyrics for several popular songs, including "Moon River," "Days of Wine and Roses," and "Charade." Mercer also wrote the lyrics for several films, including "An American in Paris," "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers," and "The Harvey Girls." Mercer was known for his clever and witty lyrics, as well as his ability to write songs in a variety of styles. He was a master of the American popular song, and his work has been covered by countless artists over the years. Mercer received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. He won four Academy Awards for Best Original Song, and he was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1971. Mercer died on June 25, 1976, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 66. In conclusion, Johnny Mercer was a prolific songwriter, composer, and singer who had a significant impact on American popular music. His clever and witty lyrics, as well as his ability to write songs in a variety of styles, made him one of the most successful and influential songwriters of the 20th century. Mercer's legacy continues to live on through his timeless songs, which have been covered by countless artists over the years.

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