Hollywood is mourning the death of Richard M. Sherman one half of the legendary Sherman brothers died today at the age of 95. Richard and his late brother, Robert Sherman wrote songs for classic Disney fare such as “Mary Poppins”, “The Jungle Book,” “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” and many more. The Disney theme park anthem, “It’s A Small World,” is the most the publicly performed song of all time according to Time.com.
The Shermans (Robert died in 2012 at age 86) wrote an estimated 1,000 songs for 50 movies, including “Lets Get Together” from “The Parent Trap” and songs in “Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree” “Charlotte’s Web” amongst others. They were responsible for more movie musical songs than anyone in history. The brothers also penned “You’re Sixteen,” a hit for Johnny Burnette and then Ringo Starr.
Richard and Robert were the recipients of multiple awards including the Songwriters Hall of Fame and The National Medal of Honor. Their success was massive but the brothers’ relationship was often troubled. The documentary “The Boys: The Sherman Brothers’ Story” which was produced and directed by their sons Gregory V. Sherman and Jeffrey C. Sherman, tells their story poignantly and beautifully. The brothers were named Disney legends in 1990.
Director and Pixar chief creative officer Pete Doctor said in a statement today, “You don’t get songs like ‘Spoonful of Sugar’ without a genuine love of life, which Richard passed on to everyone lucky enough to be around him,” Even in his 90s, he had more energy and enthusiasm than anyone, and I always left renewed by Richard’s infectious joy for life.”
On a very personal note: I, as well as so many others lucky enough to know him, know how genuinely kind and gracious he was. A true gentleman. About a decade ago I took my brother Aran, who was struggling with cancer, to the Academy to for a screening of “Young Frankenstein” one of his favorite movies. Richard was there. I knew Richard and his equally lovely wife, Elizabeth, and always loved seeing them. Aran was a huge fan of his. I went over to Richard and asked if he could come and meet him, as Aran was frail and needed to sit. Richard came over and not only did he say hello, he sat with him for 20 plus minutes and chatted with him about movies and music. I saw my brother truly happy; a rare moment at a tough time for him. He passed away soon after, but I never forgot it and thanked him repeatedly through the years since then.
As the songwriter Diane Warren wrote today, “Richard sadly left us today, but his songs never will. Today, it’s a sad world after all.” Richard Sherman is irreplaceable. The Sherman Brothers’ timeless songs will live forever.
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wrote an estimated 1,000 songs for 50 movies, including “Lets Get Together” from “The Parent Trap” and songs in “Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree” “Charlotte’s Web” amongst others. They were responsible for more movie musical songs, “It’s A Small World than anyone in history. Richard also penned “You’re Sixteen” a hit for Ringo Starr.
Richard and Robert were the recipients of multiple awards including the Songwriters Hall of Fame and The National Medal of Honor. Their success was massive but the brother’s relationship was often troubled. The documentary “The Boys: The Sherman Brothers’ Story” which was produced and directed by their sons Gregory V. Sherman and Jeffrey C. Sherman, tells their story poignantly and beautifully. The brothers were named Disney legends in 1990.
Director and Pixar chief creative officer Pete Doctor said in a statement today, “You don’t get songs like ‘Spoonful of Sugar’ without a genuine love of life, which Richard passed on to everyone lucky enough to be around him,” Even in his 90s, he had more energy and enthusiasm than anyone, and I always left renewed by Richard’s infectious joy for life.”
I, as well as so many others lucky enough to know him, know how genuinely kind and gracious he was. A true gentleman. About a decade ago I took my brother Aran, who was struggling with cancer, to the Academy to for a screening of “Young Frankenstein” one of his favorite movies. Richard was there. I knew Richard and his equally lovely wife Elizabeth and always loved seeing them. Aran was a huge fan of his. I went over to Richard and asked if he could come and meet him, as Aran was frail and needed to sit. Richard came over and not only did he say hello, he sat with him for 20 plus minutes and chatted with him about movies and music. I saw my brother truly happy; a rare moment at a tough time for him. He passed away soon after, but I never forgot it and thanked him repeatedly through the years since then. As the songwriter Diane Warren wrote today, “Richard sadly left us today, but his songs never will. Today, it’s a sad world after all.” Richard Sherman; you are irreplaceable. The Sherman Brothers timeless songs will live forever.
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