Johnny Mercer collaborated with some of the best and brightest composers during his career. His collaborations were impressive not only because of their diverse nature, but also because of the sheer number of them. From Hoagy Carmichael and Richard Whiting to Les Baxter and Fred Astaire, there were over 200 men and women that worked with Johnny Mercer throughout his career. Whether they worked together for years or just on a single song, the legacy of Johnny Mercer and his writing and composition partners surpasses any other songwriter from this period.
Composer Richard Whiting and Johnny Mercer work on a song, 1938.Johnny Mercer and Harold Arlen at the piano, circa 1940s.Johnny Mercer checks out “Down Beat” with Hoagy Carmichael, 1947.Johnny Mercer and Henry Mancini share a laugh together, circa 1970s.Songwriters Harry Warren and Al Dubin, circa 1940s.Left to right: Water Donaldson, Harry Warren, and Jerome Kern, circa 1940s.Left to right, standing: Burt Bacharach, Sammy Fain, and Jimmy McHugh. Left to right, seated: Meredith Wilson, Johnny Mercer, and Jimmy Van Heusen, circa 1960s.From left to right: Hoagy Carmichael, Jack Teagarden, and Wingy Manone onstage with Johnny Mercer, circa 1940s.
