by Anne Barnes, WEB: www.johnnymercercentennial.com

From the south coast of Benflett Essex England, Anne Barnes tells of the dear friendship with Johnny Mercer that she and her husband, Ken Barnes shared. This anecdote is presented in the JOHNNY MERCER CENTENNIAL's series: "100-day Countdown to Johnny Mercer's 100th Birthday -- November 18, 2009."

SAVANNAH, Georgia (August 30, 2009) -– I first met Johnny and his wife Ginger in 1973 when Johnny was in London working with Andre Previn on the score of his last musical “The Good Companions”.

His work on the score was at certain times interrupted by Andre Previn’s commitments to the London Symphony Orchestra. This meant that frequently he had time on his hands. It was at these points of inactivity that my fiancé Ken persuaded him back into the recording studio to make his first commercial recordings for many years. This was when I got to know him socially and from our very first meeting at his apartment in London’s Upper Grosvenor Street I immediately liked him finding him to be a very warm and friendly person.

We met quite often and went to dinner many times. The thing about Johnny was his genuine love of songs from all periods of popular music. I remember particularly one evening on leaving a restaurant he put his arm around me and sang “You Tell Me Your Dream And I’ll Tell You Mine.”

Although I didn’t know the song (he sang it beautifully) and I told him so. He then said “It’s an old song long before your time.” (Written by Chas. N. Daniels, Albert H. Brown and Seymour Rice and published in 1899, it was even before Johnny’s time) He explained to me that it was always big favourite with barber shop quartets and glee clubs. It was a magical moment that I’ll never forget; his voice had such warmth and feeling.

And what a thrill it was to go to the first of the recording sessions. Johnny being a former band singer insisted on recording his vocals with the band rather than to a pre-recorded track which is how today’s recordings are made. He and the musicians struck up a great rapport. It was thrill for him to be working with a large orchestra after so many years away from the recording studios. During one of the breaks he came and sat with me, shared a few jokes and said “Where are we going to eat tonight, Keats?” Keats was a restaurant in Hampstead, London of which Johnny was particular fond.

Over the next few months Ken and I, and arranger/conductor Pete Moore, became close friends with Johnny and Ginger. At one point we went up to Manchester for an out-of-town performance of “The Good Companions” which starred John Mills and Judi Dench. We thoroughly enjoyed it along with the audience. The score and performances were first class. After the show we went to a medieval style banqueting hall where Johnny and Ginger were crowned King and Queen of the evening. At the end of the meal he was asked to sing. There was a special request for “Moon River” in which the crowd joined in. It was an evening to remember.

Shortly after this my father, who had been ill, died suddenly. Among the flowers at the graveside was a beautiful wreath of yellow flowers. The card read, “With deepest sympathy John Herndon Mercer.” This gesture was all the more poignant as Johnny had never met my father but it showed me what a warm and caring person he was.

In April of 1974 Ken and I were married. We invited Johnny and Ginger to the wedding. But while Ginger was unable to attend because she was meeting her granddaughter at London Airport, Johnny accepted our invitation and attended the ceremony and the reception. Due to other commitments he could not stay for the dinner but insisted on buying champagne for everybody. In making a toast he said “Here’s to the long playing record and all the little spin-offs”.
Over the following two years Ken and I saw Johnny and Ginger many times between London and Los Angeles.

One particular evening in 1975, when Ken was working with Fred Astaire, we all went out to dinner together and it was a magical experience to see Johnny and Fred recalling old times, with a fund of wonderful stories.
During the latter stages of our relationship, we noticed that Johnny’s health was deteriorating. Shortly afterwards Johnny’s publishing manager Marshall Robbins visited us in London and told us that his condition had worsened and surgery was imminent to remove a brain tumour.

It was one of the saddest days of my life when on June 25th 1976 when his death was announced through the media. It was like losing a member of my family.
At that time a made a vow that one day I would visit Savannah and lay flowers on his grave. This I finally did in 2005. Johnny was without question one of the nicest human beings I ever knew. A lovely man. Both Ken and I miss him to this day.

ABOUT THE JOHNNY MERCER CENTENNIAL
Themed Too Marvelous for Words, the JOHNNY MERCER CENTENNIAL honors Johnny Mercer, the man behind the music that the greatest generation grew up to, went off to war to, and returned home to court to. He and Henry Mancini gave us Moon River, a poignant reminder to value family and friends. It is Johnny Mercer who gave us the great lyrics to Acc-cent-tchu-ate the Positive, giving America a great rally song again in 2009.

John Herndon Mercer (1909-1976) is a native son of Savannah, Georgia and a foremost figure of 20th century American popular music. He was co-founder of Capitol Records Company, founding president of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and author of 1700 songs. He was nominated for 18 Academy Awards for Best Song and won 4 Oscars®. His lyrics are significant contributions to the Great American Songbook.

For more information on the Johnny Mercer Centennial -- www.johnnymercercentennial.com.

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