Johnny Mercer's songs entertained generations, uplifting them during tough times and teaching them to accentuate the positive.
A born and bred Savannah Boy...he set the music world on fire.
Today his talent was commemorated...along with his hundredth birthday.
News Three's Community Reporter Alice Massimi was there as Mercer was memorialized.
Its toe tapping, hand clapping, good music.
“It makes you feel good. If you are having a bad day you just sing one of his songs and you feel so much better,” says David Oppenheim a Johnny Mercer Historian.
Providing a soundtrack to some of Hollywood's hit movies and sung by the greats... chances are you've heard some of Johnny Mercer's lyrics and melodies.
‘Well of course Moon River, Days of Wine and Roses, Charade but also all these great songs from the 30s like Jeepers Creepers, You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby, I’m an Old Cow Hand,” names Oppenheim.
Growing up on the corner of Lincoln and Gwinnet Street in Savannah, Mercer left here at the age of 18 for New York City. He wanted to be an actor, thankfully that didn't work.
“He got a big break when he wrote a song for the show called “The Garrick Gaieties”, they used his song in 1930,” says Oppenheim.
From then on there was no stopping this musical mastermind.
“Johnny Mercer wrote over 1700 songs. His songs have been performed by everyone and his lyrics are absolutely amazing,” exclaims Roger Moss of the Savannah Children’s Choir.
Recognized by his peers, Mercer is now being honored by his hometown...
After years of hard work a statue of Mercer was unveiled at Ellis Park today.
He may be gone but he will never be forgotten...he's looking over Savannah’s City Market... singing.
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