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mahatmakanejeeves

(57,429 posts)
Thu Nov 19, 2020, 08:56 AM Nov 2020

On November 18, 1909, Johnny Mercer was born.

I would have posted this yesterday, but I got a "403 Forbidden" every time I tried to visit DU.

Thu Jun 25, 2020: On this day, June 25, 1976, Johnny Mercer died.

Johnny Mercer

John Herndon Mercer (November 18, 1909 – June 25, 1976) was an American lyricist, songwriter, and singer. He was also a record label executive who co-founded Capitol Records with music industry businessman Buddy DeSylva and Glenn E. Wallichs.

He is best known as a Tin Pan Alley lyricist, but he also composed music. He was also a popular singer who recorded his own songs as well as songs written by others from the mid-1930s through the mid-1950s. Mercer's songs were among the most popular hits of the time, including "Moon River", "Days of Wine and Roses", "Autumn Leaves", and "Hooray for Hollywood". He wrote the lyrics to more than 1,500 songs, including compositions for movies and Broadway shows. He received nineteen Oscar nominations, and won four Best Original Song Oscars.

{snip}

He was one of the founders of Capitol Records:

Tue Jun 4, 2019: Happy 77th birthday, Capitol Records.

He wrote the lyrics for a little tune that Nat King Cole performed:

Thu Feb 15, 2018: Remembering Nat King Cole, who died 53 years ago today.

Hat tip, This Day in Rock:

http://www.thisdayinrock.com/index.php/general/1968-crooner-nat-king-cole-dies-at-age-48/

1968 – Crooner Nat “King” Cole dies at age 48 in Santa Monica, Calif., due to complications from lung cancer surgery.

Well, no, it was 1965. Oh, they have two entries for that. Try this:

http://www.thisdayinrock.com/index.php/general/1965-american-singer-and-pianist-nat-king-cole-died-of-lung-cancer/

1965 – American singer and pianist Nat King Cole died of lung cancer. First hit was the 1943 ‘Straighten Up and Fly Right’, had the 1955 US No.2 single ‘A Blossom Fell’ and 1957 UK No.2 single ‘When I Fall In Love’ plus over 20 other US & UK Top 40 singles. Father of singer Natalie Cole. In 1956 he became the first black American to host a television variety show.

Nat King Cole

Nathaniel Adams Coles (March 17, 1919 – February 15, 1965), known professionally as Nat King Cole, was an American jazz pianist and vocalist. He recorded over one hundred songs that became hits on the pop charts. His trio was the model for small jazz ensembles that followed. Cole also acted in films and on television and performed on Broadway. He was the first black man to host an American television series.

This is such a great song. The lyrics are by Johnny Mercer. But you could tell. It's a Capitol recording all the way, so it is especially well done. The songs recorded there were so wonderful.



I Remember You (1941 song)

"I Remember You" is a popular song, published in 1941. The music was written by Victor Schertzinger, the lyrics by Johnny Mercer.
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