Mercer, Johnny, 1909-1976

This collection consists of one folder of correspondence and greeting cards from the files of Hugh Mercer, Jr., son of Johnny Mercer’s half-brother.

The Ober family lived near Johnny Mercer and his family on Lido Isle (Newport Beach, California) in the 1950s and 1960s. The two families became close friends. The collection contains correspondence, photographs, and other printed and manuscript materials, documenting the long relationship between the families, as well as collected material relating to Johnny Mercer, 1976-2000.

Sadie Vimmerstedt, who was a resident of Youngstown, Ohio, wrote a letter to Johnny Mercer in February of 1957 suggesting that Mercer write a song entitled "When Somebody Breaks Your Heart." Mercer wrote the song, ultimately sharing authorship with her on a 50/50 basis. Mrs. Vimmerstedt's collection includes Mercer's first letter to her, a few Christmas cards from Mercer, and photographs taken at the 1963 Grammy Awards banquet.