Biography of Johnny Mercer

In the course of a remarkable career, Johnny Mercer wore many hats. He was one of the best and most prolific lyricists of his time ("One for My Baby," "Blues in the Night," "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive," "Moon River") and a fine composer ("Dream," "Something's Gotta Give"). He was also cofounder and president of Capitol Records, where he signed Nat King Cole and Peggy Lee, among others, and a cofounder and president of the Songwriters Hall of Fame. He was a recording star in his own right in the '40s. Mercer did not rely strictly on his own material nor did he possess a technically great voice, but he sang in an appealing, easygoing, swinging style, backed mainly by the Paul Weston Orchestra and The Pied Pipers on background vocals. Mercer's recordings are a bit reminiscent of The Sinatra swing albums of the '50s. His recording of "Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive," one of his most popular, enjoyed renewed interest with its appearance in the movie Bugsy and its use as the theme of the TV show Homefront. Mercer was one of those rare individuals who seemed able to achieve anything he put his mind to and do it well. ~ Kenneth M. Cassidy