Richard M. Sherman during a ceremony renaming Disney Studio Soundstage A to honor the Sherman Brothers during the world premiere of Disney’s film “Christopher Robin” at Walt Disney Studios on July 30, 2018. | Photo credit: AP
Richard M. Sherman, one half of the award-winning brother duo who helped shape the childhoods of millions of children by writing instantly memorable songs for “Mary Poppins,” “The Jungle Book” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” — as well as the most-played song on earth, “It’s a Small World (After All)” — has died. He was 95.
Sherman, along with his late brother Robert, won two Academy Awards for Walt Disney’s 1964 hit film “Mary Poppins” — best score and best song, “Chim Chim Cher-ee.” He also won a Grammy for best film or TV score. Robert Sherman died in London in 2012 at age 86.
The Walt Disney Company announced that Sherman died Saturday of age-related illness. “Several generations of moviegoers and theme park guests have been introduced to the world of Disney through the Sherman brothers’ brilliant and timeless songs. Even today, the duo’s work remains the quintessential lyrical voice of Walt Disney,” the company said in a remembrance posted on its website.
His hundreds of works as joint lyricist and composer also include the films “Winnie the Pooh”, “The Slipper and the Rose”, “Snoopy Come Home”, “Charlotte’s Web” and “The Magic of Lassie”. His Broadway musicals included 1974’s “Over Here!” and mid-2000s stagings of “Mary Poppins” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”.
“Something great happens when we sit down and work together,” Richard Sherman said in a joint interview with The Associated Press in 2005. “We’ve been doing that our whole lives. We’ve been working together practically since college.” Their awards include 23 gold and platinum albums and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. They became the only Americans to win first prize at the Moscow Film Festival for “Tom Sawyer” in 1973, and in 2005 were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Mickey Mouse, from left, Elizabeth Gluck, Richard M. Sherman and Minnie Mouse pose for a photo during a ceremony to honor the Sherman Brothers by renaming Disney Studio Soundstage A at the world premiere of Disney’s film “Christopher Robin” at Walt Disney Studios on July 30, 2018. | Photo credit: AP
President George W. Bush awarded her the National Medal of Arts in 2008, recognizing her music that “has helped bring joy to millions of people.”
Most of the songs the Shermans write — besides being catchy and playful — work on multiple levels for different age groups, something they learned from Disney.
Richard Sherman said, “He told us once, early in our careers, ‘Don’t insult children – don’t write for children. And don’t write just for adults.’ So we write for the grandfather and the 4-year-old – and everybody in between – and we all look at it on a different level.”
The Shermans began a decade-long partnership with Disney in the 1960s, after which they wrote hit pop songs such as “Tall Paul” for former Mouseketeer Annette Funicello and “You’re Sixteen”, later recorded by Ringo Starr.
He wrote over 150 songs for Disney, including soundtracks for films such as “The Sword and the Stone”, “The Parent Trap”, “Bedknobs and Broomsticks”, “The Jungle Book”, “The Aristocrats” and “The Tigger Movie”.
“It’s a Small World” – which is sung by animatronic dolls representing world cultures accompanying visitors during Disney theme park boat rides – is considered the most performed composition in the world. It was first introduced in the 1964-65 New York World’s Fair Pavilion ride.
Both brothers credit their father, musician Al Sherman, for instilling in them the challenge of songwriting and their love of the craft of words. His legacy of songs includes “You Gotta Be a Football Hero,” “(What Do We Do on a) Dew-Dew-Dew Day” and “On the Beach at Bali-Bali.” His sons popularized the words “phantasmagorical” and “supercalifragilisticspalidocious.”
The Shermans picked songs out from each other, discussed titles and then tried to outdo each other with improvisation. “Being brothers, we give each other shortcuts,” said Richard Sherman. “We almost look at each other and say, ‘Hey, you’re onto something, kid.'” Away from the piano, the two raised families and pursued their own interests, yet remained close to each other in Beverly Hills and continued working until their 70s. When “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” came to Broadway in 2005, they added new lyrics and four new songs.
Richard Sherman is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and two children: Gregory and Victoria. He also has a daughter, Linda, from a previous marriage.
A private funeral will be held on Friday; Disney said a celebration of life service will be announced later.
Though they were estranged for many years, the brothers largely avoided sibling rivalry. When asked about it, Richard Sherman was philosophical, poignant and funny all at the same time – just like the many songs he co-wrote with his brother.
“We are human beings. We have weaknesses and frailties. But we love each other very much, respect each other,” he said. “I am happy that he is a successful person. That makes me a successful person too.”
