Li'l Abner is a 1956 musical with a book by Norman Panama and Melvin Frank, music by Gene De Paul, and lyrics by Johnny Mercer. Based on the comic strip Li'l Abner by Al Capp, the show is, on the surface, a broad spoof of hillbillies, but it is also a pointed satire on other topics, ranging from American politics and incompetence in the United States federal government to propriety and gender roles.
1956 Original Cast Recording
Palmer as Li'l Abner and Adams as Daisy Mae in the original production
Promotional material for original Broadway production
John Herndon Mercer was an American lyricist, songwriter, and singer, as well as a record label executive who co-founded Capitol Records with music industry businessmen Buddy DeSylva and Glenn E. Wallichs.
Johnny Mercer, c. 1947
Childhood home of Johnny Mercer, 224-226 East Gwinnett Street
The historic Mercer House in Savannah, Georgia, built for the songwriter's great-grandfather. (Johnny Mercer did not live there.)
Self-portrait and signature of Johnny Mercer from bench at his grave in Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, Georgia.