On this day, June 25, 1976, Johnny Mercer died.

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Adios, my huckleberry friend.

Johnny Mercer


Johnny Mercer, c. 1947

Background information
Birth name: John Herndon Mercer
Born: November 18, 1909; Savannah, Georgia, U.S.
Died: June 25, 1976 (aged 66); Hollywood, California

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

He is best known as a Tin Pan Alley lyricist, but he also composed music, and was 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 successful 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.

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Related:

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

Hat tip, This Day in Rock. The URL is now in use by someone else.

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:

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. Johnny Mercer wrote the lyrics. 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.

For 2025, I'm adding Rosemary Clooney. She shows up in a clip a bit later.

“I Remember You” Rosemary Clooney | 1956

Ryland Groves
2.26K subscribers

3,601 views Jun 5, 2021
No description has been added to this video.

A few more:

JOHNNY MERCER SINGS a MEDLEY of his HITS
93,752 views • Dec 31, 2013

spookylorre
20.3K subscribers

Songwriting. legend JOHNNY MERCER performing some of his classics...

The Johnny Mercer Story 02
20,282 views • Apr 30, 2013

corporalhenshaw
40.4K subscribers

Exploring Johnny Mercer's roots in the Deep South, there is too much great material to list completely, but look out for Ray Charles,Margaret Whiting, Louis ARmstrong,Jack Teagarden,Hoagy Carmichael and Humphrey Littleton for a start.

The Songs of Johnny Mercer - Too Marvelous for Words
11,263 views • May 29, 2016

Prestigitator77
480 subscribers

Celebrating the legendary songwriter Johnny Mercer, this tribute concert took place at the Biltmore Estate in 1997. This program, now out of print, originally aired on Public Television and should remain public and available to all. No copyright infringement intended.

JUDY GARLAND & JOHNNY MERCER, 'THE DREAMS ON ME'. A LOVE AFFAIR.
41,849 views • Nov 17, 2009

Michele Bell
6.34K subscribers

A brief video clip from 'Clint Eastwood Presents Johnny Mercer: The Dreams On Me'.
Judy & Johnny shared a relationship for over 30 years ... She was, in every sense of the word, his Muse ... inspiring his love & creativity. In Greek mythology, the Muses inspired the creation of music, poetry & literature. Judy wrote poetry. She sang songs. She told stories. With these gifts, she created the POWER TO INSPIRE.

Sun Jun 25, 2023: On this day, June 25, 1976, Johnny Mercer died.

Mon Jun 27, 2022: On June 25, 1976, Johnny Mercer died.

Fri Nov 18, 2022: Johnny Mercer was born on this date.

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

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