Title
Skylark: The Life And Times Of Johnny Mercer-used
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Skylark Is The Story Of The Tormented But Glorious Life And Career Of Johnny Mercer, And The First Biography Of This Enormously Popular And Influential Lyricist. Raised In Savannah, Mercer Brought A Quintessentially Southern Style To Both His Life In New York And To His Lyrics, Which Often Evoked The Landscapes And Mood Of His Youth ('Moon River', 'In The Cool, Cool, Cool Of The Evening'). Mercer Also Absorbed The Music Of Southern Blacksthe Lullabies His Nurse Sang To Him As A Baby And The Spirituals That Poured Out Of Savannahs Churchesand That Cool Smooth Lyrical Style Informed Some Of His Greatest Songs, Such As 'That Old Black Magic'.Part Of A Golden Guild Whose Members Included Cole Porter And Irving Berlin, Mercer Took Hollywood By Storm In The Midst Of The Great Depression. Putting Words To Some Of The Most Famous Tunes Of The Time, He Wrote One Hit After Another, From 'You Must Have Been A Beautiful Baby' To 'Jeepers Creepers' And 'Hooray For Hollywood.' But It Was Also In Hollywood That Mercers Dark Underside Emerged. Sober, He Was A Kind, Generous And At Times Even Noble Southern Gentleman; When He Drank, Mercer Tore Into Friends And Strangers Alike With Vicious Abuse. Mercers Wife Ginger, Whom Hed Bested Bing Crosby To Win, Suffered The Cruelest Attacks; Mercer Would Even Improvise Cutting Lyrics About Her At Parties.During World War Ii, Mercer Served As Americass Troubadour, Turning Out Such Uplifting Songs As 'My Shining Hour' And 'Accenttchuate The Positive.' He Also Helped Create Capitol Records, The First Major West Coast Recording Company, Where He Discovered Many Talented Singers, Including Peggy Lee And Nat King Cole. During This Period, He Also Began An Intense Affair With Judy Garland, Which Rekindled Time And Again For The Rest Of Their Lives. Although They Never Found Happiness Together, Garland Became Mercers Muse And Inspired Some Of His Most Sensuous And Heartbreaking Lyrics: 'Blues In The Night,' 'One For My Baby,' And 'Come Rain Or Come Shine.'Mercer Amassed A Catalog Of Over A Thousand Songs And During Some Years Had A Song In The Top Ten Every Week Of The Yearthe Songwriting Equivalent Of Joe Dimaggios Hitting Streakbut Was Plagued By A Sense Of Failure And Bitterness Over The Big Broadway Hit That Seemed Forever Out Of Reach.Based On Scores Of Interviews With Friends, Family And Colleagues, And Drawing Extensively On Johnny Mercers Letters, Papers And His Unpublished Autobiography, Skylark Is An Important Book About One Of The Great And Dramatic Characters In 20Th Century Popular Music.
⚠️ WARNING (California Proposition 65):
This product may contain chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, or other reproductive harm.
For more information, please visit www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.
- Q: What are the physical dimensions of the book? A: The book measures six point four two inches in length, one point one four inches in width, and nine point six two inches in height.
- Q: How many pages does 'Skylark: The Life and Times of Johnny Mercer' have? A: The book contains three hundred twenty pages, providing a comprehensive insight into Johnny Mercer’s life.
- Q: What type of binding does this book have? A: The book is bound in hardcover, which offers durability and a quality feel.
- Q: Is this biography suitable for young readers? A: Yes, it is suitable for young readers, especially those interested in music history and biographies.
- Q: What age group is this book appropriate for? A: This book is generally appropriate for readers aged twelve and up, due to its complex themes and language.
- Q: How can I best enjoy this book? A: You can enjoy this book by reading it in a quiet space where you can reflect on Mercer’s artistic contributions.
- Q: What is the recommended way to store this book? A: Store the book upright on a shelf in a dry environment to prevent damage from moisture.
- Q: How do I keep the book in good condition? A: To keep the book in good condition, avoid direct sunlight and handle it with clean hands to prevent dirt and oils from damaging the pages.
- Q: Is this book safe for children? A: Yes, the book is safe for children, but parental guidance is advised due to some mature themes discussed.
- Q: What if the book arrives damaged? A: If the book arrives damaged, you can contact the seller for a return or exchange within their specified return policy.
- Q: Does this book come with a warranty? A: No, books generally do not come with a warranty, but they may be eligible for returns depending on the seller.
- Q: How do I return the book if I don’t like it? A: To return the book, check the seller’s return policy and follow their instructions for processing a return.
- Q: What if I have questions about the book's content? A: If you have questions about the content, consider looking for discussions online or reviews that delve into Mercer's life and works.
- Q: Is this book a good choice for music lovers? A: Yes, this book is an excellent choice for music lovers, particularly those interested in lyricists and the history of American music.
- Q: How does this book compare to other biographies of musicians? A: This book offers a unique perspective on Johnny Mercer, focusing on his personal struggles and triumphs, distinguishing it from other musician biographies.
- Q: What are the key themes explored in this biography? A: Key themes include creativity, personal turmoil, and the impact of music on culture and society, especially during Mercer’s era.