i fucking love this guy. why doesnt anybody sing like this anymore? music at this time was so awesome. people like betty hutton and ella fitzgerald. this is the music people will still be listening to a thousand years from now.
H was not only the best songwriter, EVER, but the nicest man ever. He took the time to return my phone when he was NY at the Gotham hotel.I have several of his letters to me and also Christmas cards the He composed. Love the man. Love his voice, especially when he said KATY..Miss you Mr. Mercer. Your fan, FOREVER.....katywood
I am from Savannah Ga. and the place drips with the memory of Johnny Mercer, the Mercer house on the square in Savannah made famous in the movie Garden of Good and Evil,which he never actually lived in,our his childhood home a few blocks away,or his adult home on Burnside island or his grave!
What an amazing Song. What an amazing Man Johnny Mercer was - the Genius Creator of Perfect Words. They'll never be another to match him... - - - - - The days of wine and roses laugh and run away, like a child at play Through a meadowland toward a closing door A door marked "nevermore" that wasn't there before. - - - - - The lonely night discloses, just a passing breeze, filled with memories Of the Golden Smile that introduced me to The days of wine and roses and You.
This was really good. I often think that he was underrated as a vocalist, and it was fascinating to hear some of the apocryphal stories attached to the songs and the people he worked with. Thanks for posting.
This is great! I've searched for this forever and now I find it without trying. I was hoping it was the film of the concert, but I'm just happy the whole thing was recorded in some way! This is (uh, forgive me here) just too marvelous for words!
Johnny will ever reign in my mind among the kings and princes of song. What should be kept in mind is the generation of composers, lyricists and arrangers that for an extended spell prospered that realm. Bear in mind the raft of names of the likes of Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin, Alec Wilder, Hoagy Carmichael, and on and on.... They and that lofty kingdom have passed and what we now have is chiefly unlistenable.
Oh thank you. I think I heard part of this on the radio yrs. ago. One of the creators of the "American Songbook" and founded Capitol Records and so much more. Five years ago Four couples that got married around 30 years before and are still lifelong friends went to Savannah to celebrate. I had the opportunity to tell a few of them about Mr. Mercer's contributions to American music that they either forgot or didn't know. Kudos for you to for posting and thank you!
Oops. It was Levine on the intro & during the Q&A. Rowan did write a tribute to Mercer upon John's death. It's included in a book titled "Our Huckleberry Friend" by Bob Bach & Ginger (Mrs.) Mercer. The book is a collection of his lyrics but also includes text, comments on the lyrics, personal writings, tons of photos & memorabilia. A must-have for any JM fan, hope you can find it on Amazon or elsewhere on the web.
It's Richard Leonard on the piano. Produced by Maurice Levine, who's thanked at the beginning. The journalist Carl Rowan does the intro. I have it on CD as "An Evening With Johnny Mercer". DRG Records 5176. Mercer couldn't play piano, beyond a few rudimentary chords. You've probably seen some photos of him at the piano; they were merely publicity photos.
If you have to choose one lyricist JOHNNY MERCER is the greatest of them all,but he wrote with so many different composers.LORENZ HART was also unique.He wrote 550 songs with RICHARD RODGERS.And what about COLE PORTER who did the music and the lyrics to more than 800 songs.Even as late in his life JOHNNY remembered what BING CROSBY did for him.JOHNNY knew MARGARET when she was a little girl.MARGARET was the daughter of composer RICHARD WHITING who wrote songs with JOHNNY.
What a great lyricist. Is there any possibility of getting clips from a TV show he did with Bobby Troop where they took turns writing kines for a song?
My only source for stuff like that is RUclips - and it doesn't seem to be there. I agree - I think he was one of the greatest but underrated compared to some of the others.
Marvelous! Can anyone here tell me when this show was recorded? Must've been the late 60s or early 70s, given the reference to the Beatles' "gurus." And who is the Master of Ceremonies? Was this part of a series? Who has information on this marvelous program?
In the 80s I was driving through NY and listening to WNEW. The hosts played a song by Margaret Whiting and speculating about why she chose to change the lyrics. Next thing Margaret Whiting herself is on the phone. She didn't remember why she changed it.
+Steve Stalzle Sorry - I don't know and I can't even remember how I acquired it! But I agree with you - a great talent. If you're really into Johnny Mercer, try and source Gene Lees' biography: Portrait of Johnny: The Life of John Herndon Mercer (2004), ISBN 978-0-375-42060-3
i fucking love this guy. why doesnt anybody sing like this anymore? music at this time was so awesome. people like betty hutton and ella fitzgerald. this is the music people will still be listening to a thousand years from now.
H was not only the best songwriter, EVER, but the nicest man ever. He took the time to return my phone when he was NY at the Gotham hotel.I have several of his letters to me and also Christmas cards the He composed. Love the man. Love his voice, especially when he said KATY..Miss you Mr. Mercer. Your fan, FOREVER.....katywood
💔💔
This is so amazing, what a gift he was given to write these songs!!!
I've listened to this so many times. I don't think I'll ever get enough of it
I am from Savannah Ga. and the place drips with the memory of Johnny Mercer, the Mercer house on the square in Savannah made famous in the movie Garden of Good and Evil,which he never actually lived in,our his childhood home a few blocks away,or his adult home on Burnside island or his grave!
What an amazing Song. What an amazing Man Johnny Mercer was - the Genius Creator of Perfect Words. They'll never be another to match him...
- - - - -
The days of wine and roses laugh and run away, like a child at play
Through a meadowland toward a closing door
A door marked "nevermore" that wasn't there before.
- - - - -
The lonely night discloses, just a passing breeze, filled with memories
Of the Golden Smile that introduced me to
The days of wine and roses and You.
I IN AWE OF THIS WORDSMITH! HE GONE & I 80...HE ENDURES & SHOULD...
This was really good. I often think that he was underrated as a vocalist, and it was fascinating to hear some of the apocryphal stories attached to the songs and the people he worked with. Thanks for posting.
This is great! I've searched for this forever and now I find it without trying. I was hoping it was the film of the concert, but I'm just happy the whole thing was recorded in some way! This is (uh, forgive me here) just too marvelous for words!
Johnny will ever reign in my mind among the kings and princes of song. What should be kept in mind is the generation of composers, lyricists and arrangers that for an extended spell prospered that realm. Bear in mind the raft of names of the likes of Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, George and Ira Gershwin, Alec Wilder, Hoagy Carmichael, and on and on.... They and that lofty kingdom have passed and what we now have is chiefly unlistenable.
Oh thank you. I think I heard part of this on the radio yrs. ago. One of the creators of the "American Songbook" and founded Capitol Records and so much more. Five years ago Four couples that got married around 30 years before and are still lifelong friends went to Savannah to celebrate. I had the opportunity to tell a few of them about Mr. Mercer's contributions to American music that they either forgot or didn't know. Kudos for you to for posting and thank you!
In a very strong field,Johnny is the very finest lyricist of the 20th century.'TOO MARVELLOUS FOR WORDS.'
Not only that he was a great composer but a great performer with a great sense of humour.
Oops. It was Levine on the intro & during the Q&A. Rowan did write a tribute to Mercer upon John's death. It's included in a book titled "Our Huckleberry Friend" by Bob Bach & Ginger (Mrs.) Mercer. The book is a collection of his lyrics but also includes text, comments on the lyrics, personal writings, tons of photos & memorabilia. A must-have for any JM fan, hope you can find it on Amazon or elsewhere on the web.
Bob Laughlin..thank you..Will definitely look!!
It's Richard Leonard on the piano. Produced by Maurice Levine, who's thanked at the beginning. The journalist Carl Rowan does the intro. I have it on CD as "An Evening With Johnny Mercer". DRG Records 5176. Mercer couldn't play piano, beyond a few rudimentary chords. You've probably seen some photos of him at the piano; they were merely publicity photos.
I wish I could have met you Great 3x Grandad :( such a great man
I think that I might be related.. When I go to Savannah, I always go by Bonaventure.and sit for awhile. :-)
Patti Patten that would be pretty neat if we were somehow related.
I know a Conner Mercer he drives on my bus 155 in plainedge middle school ny
That school used to be called "Northedge"
Really?
Very marvelous voice.
Wish I could have been there. Thank you for uploading this gem!
Awesome
my kin folk music
If you have to choose one lyricist JOHNNY MERCER is the greatest of them all,but he wrote with so many different composers.LORENZ HART was also unique.He wrote 550 songs with RICHARD RODGERS.And what about COLE PORTER who did the music and the lyrics to more than 800 songs.Even as late in his life JOHNNY remembered what BING CROSBY did for him.JOHNNY knew MARGARET when she was a little girl.MARGARET was the daughter of composer RICHARD WHITING who wrote songs with JOHNNY.
"An Evening with Johnny Mercer." CD
Appreciated the post! Thank you, means a lot!
Hello everyone. Thank you. Always love your music. Your fans. I saved this video to watch later. I'm always so tire. xox xox xox
What a great lyricist. Is there any possibility of getting clips from a TV show he did with
Bobby Troop where they took turns writing kines for a song?
My only source for stuff like that is RUclips - and it doesn't seem to be there. I agree - I think he was one of the greatest but underrated compared to some of the others.
Marvelous! Can anyone here tell me when this show was recorded? Must've been the late 60s or early 70s, given the reference to the Beatles' "gurus." And who is the Master of Ceremonies? Was this part of a series? Who has information on this marvelous program?
During the medley at the end I'm like he wrote that too? And that one too? And that one?...
Does anyone know if Mercer is playing the piano in this?
I listened to Margaret singing with Mel Torme, years later. And her voice was no Ella or Judy garland sounding.
In the 80s I was driving through NY and listening to WNEW. The hosts played a song by Margaret Whiting and speculating about why she chose to change the lyrics. Next thing Margaret Whiting herself is on the phone. She didn't remember why she changed it.
I have the audio of the entire 1976 Mercer Tribute including Carl Romans piece Whom can i send it to to put it online?
What a treasure you have.
I would love to have that in my collection! That would be amazing. :)
+Stephen Taksler
what format is the media?
Stephen Taksler upload it if you don't mind, that'd be awesome
What year was this? I LOVE IT!
+Steve Stalzle Sorry - I don't know and I can't even remember how I acquired it! But I agree with you - a great talent. If you're really into Johnny Mercer, try and source Gene Lees' biography: Portrait of Johnny: The Life of John Herndon Mercer (2004), ISBN 978-0-375-42060-3
I'm going to guess 1968 - 69 approximately. He talks about the Beatles and their guru, which was around 1968.
1970- YMHA, NYC- David Oppenheim, Friends of Johnny Mercer, historian/archivist-Savannah, GA