Hardbopjazz Posted March 4, 2004 Report Posted March 4, 2004 How hard was it for Mercer Ellington to live under the shadow of his fathers name and success? He did have some success, but nothing like his father. Quote
BERIGAN Posted March 4, 2004 Report Posted March 4, 2004 That is a good question! Anyone ever wonder if Duke used him during the ASCAP strike, meaning used Mercer to get around the issue? I don't mean to start a rumor, it just seems strange that he would write songs like Things Ain't What They Used to Be and Moon Mist , then not much more.... Quote
JSngry Posted March 4, 2004 Report Posted March 4, 2004 Mercer's written a book, and in it, he says that his father made sure that Mercer never wanted for anything, but that he also made sure that there would be only one "famous" Ellington. Quote
EKE BBB Posted March 5, 2004 Report Posted March 5, 2004 Mercer´s book is an interesting one. He shows mixed feelings, IMHO: on the one hand he had a total admiration and respect for his father; on the other, he had wounds regarding the attitude Duke had with him. Quote
catesta Posted March 5, 2004 Report Posted March 5, 2004 (edited) No, he passed away in 1996. This is a pic of his beautiful daughter. I saw Ellington's band with my father under the direction of Mercer in the 70's when I was just a kid and too young to appreciate it. Edited March 5, 2004 by catesta Quote
Dan Gould Posted March 5, 2004 Report Posted March 5, 2004 Mercer get a from me just for writing "Things Ain't What They Used To Be" Quote
David Williams Posted March 5, 2004 Report Posted March 5, 2004 And from me for writing Jumpin' Punkins. Quote
mmilovan Posted March 5, 2004 Report Posted March 5, 2004 And from me also for writing "Blue Serge"!!! Quote
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