Renowned Pianist and Composer John Meyer Passes Away At 86

In a sad turn of events, the world bids farewell to the legendary John Meyer, a multifaceted talent known for his prowess in music composition and playwriting. John, 86, breathed his last in mid-February, succumbing to complications following surgery, as confirmed by his niece, Rachel Trousdale, in an exclusive statement to PEOPLE.

Rachel describes John as a beloved individual who always had a story about his music, many adventures and unique memories.

“He was really generous in helping other artists make connections and find opportunities and he was always ready with a joke, He loved wine and traveling to France and had an encyclopedic knowledge of classic films and music of his era. Just whistle a bar of any tune, and he knew what it was,” she said.

John’s journey into the limelight intertwines with the iconic Judy Garland, a luminary entertainer, whom he encountered in the vibrant backdrop of 1968. At the youthful age of late twenties, the musician crossed paths with Judy, then 46, through a mutual acquaintance, marking the genesis of an extraordinary bond.

Reflecting on their initial rendezvous, he reminisced, “She had a suitcase, a little black dress, a pair of fishnet stockings, and a pair of heels.” 

Amidst Judy’s turbulent circumstances, John’s melodious offering, I Like to Hate Myself in the Morning and Raise a Little Hell Tonight, struck a chord, forging an indelible connection between the two.

Driven by compassion, John extended his abode to Judy, welcoming her into his family’s house on Park Ave. His recollection paints a poignant picture of Garland’s vulnerability amidst financial turmoil and personal strife, underscoring the profound impact of kindness in tumultuous times.

Assuming multifaceted roles in Garland’s life, John became her steadfast companion, manager, and confidant, navigating her through the labyrinth of fame and adversity.

“I became her manager, her agent, her lover, her companion, the shoulder that she could lean on. Her big overriding motivation was ‘love me,’” he recollected.

Amidst shared moments of joy and sorrow, his anecdotes illuminate Judy’s zest for life, juxtaposed with the poignant narrative of her untimely departure in June 1969.

“She was the most marvelous fun. That’s what nobody really speaks about,” he said about her.