Alan Livingston oral history interview, October 3, 1996

Interviewed by Chris Paton. In this interview, Livingston talks about his early days at Capitol Records when he first became acquainted with Johnny Mercer. He speaks of the business operations at Capitol in the late 1940s and Mercer's gift for finding good artists to record for the label. Livingston discusses Mercer's character and personality, his attitude toward business, his working methods during recording sessions, and his social life. Livingston then moves on to talk about the advent of rock and its influence on Mercer and the music business. Before the discussion turns to Mercer's wife Ginger and the Mercers' relationship, Livingston and Paton touch briefly on the Johnny Mercer Foundation and the re-release of some of Mercer's recordings on CD. At the conclusion of the conversation, Livingston returns to the subject of Mercer's personality and their friendship, Mercer's relationships with others, and his social life. He also mentions again Mercer's extraordinary talent for finding good singers and musicians to record for Capitol Records.