The Songwriters Hall of Fame was saddened to learn of the passing of 2005 inductee, Richard Sherman.
Renowned children's film composers Richard and Robert Sherman have written some of the best-loved and most recognized songs in motion picture history. One of Disney's most successful songwriting teams, the music of the Sherman Brothers can be heard in such classics as Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, Parent Trap, The Aristocats, Bedknobs and Broomsticks, The Happiest Millionaire and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the movie musical that recently opened on Broadway. The spectacular stage production features their original Oscar winning score along with some newly written songs-and that famous flying car, of course.
With a career that spans almost 50 years, the Sherman Brothers have amassed numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards (from a total of nine nominations), two Grammy Awards, 23 gold and platinum albums, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. They also earned the BMI Richard Kirk Award for Outstanding Career Achievement at the performing rights organization's 1991 Film/TV Awards. The Sherman Brothers were reportedly responsible for more movie musical songs than anyone in history.
Songs like "Chim Chim Cheree," "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," "I Wanna Be Like You (The Monkey Song)," "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" and "It's A Small World (After All)"-one the most-performed and most-translated songs on earth-are all part of a monumental body of work that continues to touch the lives of millions of children and adults, around the world.
The sons of famous Tin Pan Alley songwriter Al Sherman, who wrote the Eddie Cantor signature song "Potatoes Are Cheaper, Tomatoes Are Cheaper, Now's The Time To Fall In Love," brothers Dick and Bob got their start in the late '90s writing pop and rock tunes. Hits such as "You're Sixteen," a #1 smash for Johnny Burnette in 1960 and for Ringo Starr in 1974, and their first single "Tall Paul," a top 10 hit in 1958 for the Mickey Mouse Club's Annette Funicello, caught the ears of Walt Disney. The result was an extraordinary 10-year relationship with the entertainment giant as exclusive staff songwriters, yielding some of the greatest song scores ever written for film. The Sherman Brothers were the first songwriters to be personally signed by Walt Disney to create music for Disney projects. “It’s A Small World (After All)” is still being played throughout the favorite boat ride of the same name at all of the Disney theme parks.
The Sherman brothers had a huge comeback in 2000 with the score to The Tigger Movie, their first major motion picture effort for Disney in over 28 years. Other significant screenplays and scores include Snoopy, Come Home, Tom Sawyer, Charlotte's Web, Disney's The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, The Slipper and the Rose: The Story of Cinderella and The Magic of Lassie, the latter two of which each received an Oscar nomination.
Richard Sherman is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and their two children, Gregory and Victoria. He also is survived by daughter, Lynda.
