About John

John Meyer started writing nasty ditties about his teachers when he was in high school (Fieldston). Because he was getting laughs from his classmates, he figured this was the best way to get attention (and maybe girls).

When he went to college (University of Chicago), they had a theatre department that specialized in dreary one acts by Strindberg. John decided they needed a musical revue, so he wrote one: PHEASANT UNDER GLASS. It was a hit - and he was hooked for good.

Back in New York, John wrote a comedy number called MR. CLEAN about a woman who fell in love with a detergent. The publicity this number garnered at Julius Monk's revue club, Upstairs at the Downstairs, brought him commissions writing sly songs for some notable performers: Lily Tomlin, Joan Rivers, Gloria DeHaven, Julie Wilson, Madeline Kahn, and Bob Goulet, among others.

In 1968, John met Judy Garland and in addition to writing four songs for her (including "I'd Like To Hate Myself In The Morning"), he attempted to revitalize her career. He was partially successful, but then Judy died. John's memoir of the painfully emotional time he spent with Judy was published in 1983. It's called Heartbreaker. A new edition is due next May with a CD of John and Judy rehearsing at the piano. Also in line for off-Broadway is the musical adaptation of Heartbreaker, timed to coincide with the book's reissue.

With Paul Bartel, the director, John wrote an episode of THE AMAZING STORIES for Steven Spielberg. Called GERSHWIN'S TRUNK, it featured Carrie Fisher and Lainie Kazan (as Gershwin - don't ask!). John and Paul also collaborated on a feature film, NOT FOR PUBLICATION, which starred Nancy Allen. In addition, he did the scoring with orchestrator Larry Hochman.

In 1998, John wrote book, music and lyrics for a musical at London's Jermyn Street Theatre. It was a thriller called THE BETRAYAL OF NORA BLAKE with songs about a woman with amnesia who has to clear herself of the charge of murder. It received 12 rave reviews and is due for an off- Broadway production.

John recently married Suzanne Cogan and lives in Manhattan where he is pursuing his three great loves: musical theatre, Burgundy and Suzanne.

John Meyers Discography