Johnny Mercer

American lyricist, songwriter, singer and record executive

Johnny Mercer was an acclaimed American lyricist, songwriter, and singer who co-founded Capitol Records. He wrote the lyrics to over 1,500 songs, including classic hits like ‘Moon River’, ‘Days of Wine and Roses’, and ‘Hooray for Hollywood’, and won four Academy Awards for Best Original Song.

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About the Johnny Mercer

John Herndon Mercerwas 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 as well as others’ songs 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Johnny Mercer was an American lyricist, songwriter, and singer who co-founded Capitol Records. He is best known as a Tin Pan Alley lyricist and was a popular singer who recorded his own and others’ songs from the mid-1930s through the mid-1950s.

Johnny Mercer wrote the lyrics to more than 1,500 songs, including compositions for movies and Broadway shows. Some of his most famous and successful songs include ‘Moon River’, ‘Days of Wine and Roses’, ‘Autumn Leaves’, and ‘Hooray for Hollywood’.

Johnny Mercer received nineteen Oscar nominations and won four Best Original Song Oscars over the course of his career.

Johnny Mercer was born on November 18, 1909, in Savannah, Georgia.

Johnny Mercer co-founded Capitol Records with music industry businessmen Buddy DeSylva and Glenn E. Wallichs.

Johnny Mercer passed away on June 25, 1976.

In addition to being a successful lyricist and songwriter, Johnny Mercer was also a record label executive who co-founded the iconic Capitol Records.