Here - Linda Eder

Garland exhibition at The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at
Lincoln Center. That ten-week display drew the largest crowds for any such retrospective in the history of the venue.
John was, respectively, associate producer and creative consultant for the CBS-TV documentary, "The Wizard of Oz: The
Making of A Movie Classic" (1990) and the PBS-TV "Great Performances" program, "Judy Garland: The Concert Years" (1985),
both of which received Emmy Award nominations. He was consultant to virtually all production departments for LIFE WITH
JUDY GARLAND/ME AND MY SHADOWS (2001), the top-rated, multiple Emmy Award-winning ABC television motion picture. He
also wrote, hosted and co-directed the Telly Award-winning home video documentary, WE'RE OFF TO SEE THE MUNCHKINS in
1992.
He has discussed Garland, OZ, or both on literally hundreds of international radio and television programs, serving on many
occasions as spokesman for Warner Bros., Turner Entertainment, Rhino Records, Capitol Records, or M-G-M/UA Home Video.
Among many other TV appearances, John has been seen on "The Today Show," "Entertainment Tonight," "The Joan Rivers
Show," the A&E "Breakfast With the Arts," CNN's "Show Biz Today," and the syndicated "Instant Recall."
Over the years, John has served The International Wizard of Oz Club, Inc., as president, vice-president, member of its board of
directors, and as editor in chief and contributing editor of its magazine, The Baum Bugle. He is presently consultant to both The
Judy Garland Heirs Trust and The Land of Oz Preservation Company.
Songwriter and author John Meyer offers Judy Garland fans a rare glimpse into the life of
"the legendary lady." He played a special role in the twilight of her life… meeting her in
1968 and quickly becoming her friend, her business manager and her lover. His book,
Heartbreaker (Doubleday, 1983), chronicles their time together in the months before her
sad and untimely death.
Here, John gives Linda's fans some insight into the Judy Garland he knew and loved…
VOICE: What did Judy enjoy doing when not performing?
JOHN: No hobbies, unless you mean appropriating other people's belongings. She needed
to know that people would go to extremes to prove their love for her — she once asked a
lady to part with her eyeglasses. And the lady did. This was a game to Judy.
VOICE: Did she get nervous before a live performance?
JOHN: Very. So much so that she kept you up all night worrying. She always felt she had
to top herself, be better than she was last time out. She felt her public expected it. She
was a bundle of nerves.
VOICE: Do you know if Judy had a favorite venue where she performed?
John Meyer
JOHN: Judy liked smaller venues, like the Kleinhaus in Buffalo. Three thousand seats. She didn't like big arenas, big stadiums.
VOICE: Did Judy have a favorite song to sing? Perhaps even one she would hum to herself — not necessarily on stage?
JOHN: She loved "It Never Was You" by Kurt Weill... and my song, "Hate Myself," I'm proud to say.
VOICE: Did she ever accompany herself on the piano? Could she play?
JOHN: No. But she had a great sense of harmony, and real swing instincts. I have tape of us — it'll be included with the new
Heartbreaker (Citadel Press, 2006)— where she does a rhythmic riff that shows us a glimpse of her jazz sensibility.