Lyricists

Abstract

The Miriam Center Collection primarily contains materials related to the dedication of the Johnny Mercer Theatre in 1978. It includes corrspondence, newspaper clippings, and a program that date from 1977 to 1978.

Abstract: A Savannah, Georgia businessman, Nick Mamalakis was associated with lyricist Johnny Mercer's family and its businesses from 1930, and was the primary advocate of plans to bring the papers of Johnny Mercer to the archives at Georgia State University. His papers include articles, newsclippings, correspondence and printed material relating to Johnny Mercer and to the acquisition of the Johnny Mercer Papers by Georgia State University, and brief manuscript by Nick Mamalakis describing the events...

Abstract:

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.

Abstract: The Robert Kimball Collection, 1930-2008, consists of mixed materials compiled by the well-respected musical theater historian as research for his co-edited book The Complete Lyrics of Johnny Mercer (New York, 2009). The collection contains biographical information on Johnny Mercer's collaborators, songs (in the form of sheet music, arranger's piano and vocal scores, arranger's lead sheets, piano-conductor scores), newspaper clippings, copies of theater...

Abstract:

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.

Abstract:

Steve Allen (1921-2000) was a well-known author, pianist, comedian, composer, and actor. He was an admirer of Johnny Mercer's lyrics. After Mercer's death, his widow Ginger Mercer and Bill Harbach encouraged Allen to write a song to a title Mercer had created, "Your Wife Is the Love of My Life." This collection consists of a lead sheet and typed lyrics for Allen's "Your Wife Is the Love of My Life."