Richard Sherman writer of classic Disney songs has died aged 95

Richard M Sherman co-writer of many of the classic Disney songs has died aged 95 (Animation Magazine)

​

by Mick the Ram

One of the two brothers responsible for many of the classic Disney songs loved by millions of people around the world has sadly died.

Composer Richard M Sherman, who was 95, passed away “due to an age related illness” at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, in Beverly Hills.

Together with his late brother, Robert, who died in London at age 86 in 2012, they created favourite tunes for the likes of: Mary Poppins, Jungle Book, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

The legendary musical force were behind more than 200 songs in Disney films, winning the pair two Oscars, with a further seven receiving nominations. They also achieved success at the Grammy’s winning three awards, and they received 24 gold and platinum albums.

In 2005 they were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame and Richard’s service to the arts industry also led to a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame; plus he received the US National Medal of the Arts in 2008.

A private funeral will be held on 31 May in California.

Tribute from Disney

The great man’s passing was confirmed in a statement on the Walt Disney Company official website, which paid him a tribute and called him, “One of the most prolific composer-lyricists in the history of family entertainment, and a key member of Walt Disney’s inner circle of creative talents.”

Start of a great relationship

He was born in New York City on 12 June 1928, with his family relocating to Beverly Hills, California, in 1937.

As a draftee in the military, Sherman served as conductor for the Army band from 1953-1955.  The two brothers began writing together and when Mouseketeer Annette Funicello recorded the hit: “Tall Paul” it grabbed the attention of Walt Disney and that was the start of a magical relationship.

Songs known the world over

They penned some of the most beloved songs in the Disney catalogue, including their Oscar-winning track: “Chim Chim Cher-ee” as well as the likes of “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”, “A Spoonful of Sugar”, the Jungle Book’s “Trust in Me” and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang’s “Truly Scrumptious”.

Other songs of theirs lit up the movies: Bedknobs and Broomsticks, The Aristocats, Winnie the Pooh, The Slipper and the Rose, Charlotte’s Web and The Magic of Lassie, amongst many, many others.

Broadway success

They also found their way onto Broadway with the musical: Over Here! before many years later the stagings of both Mary Poppins and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, in the mid-2000’s.

Still composing in his nineties

Sherman continued to play an active role producing musical scores even as he entered his advanced years. Indeed, only last year he wrote a new song with composer Fabrizio Mancinelli for Disney legend, Andreas Deja’s, animated short film: Mushka.

He once said of their writing: “You have to grab people in eight bars. We learned how to do a catchphrase, an intriguing opening line and we had a rule to keep it simple, sing-able and sincere, but with a big O around it to be original.”

Story told in recent film

The brothers were portrayed in the 2013 film: Saving Mr. Banks, which told the story behind the making of Mary Poppins. It was released one year after his brother’s passing in March of 2013, with actors Jason Schwartzman and B. J. Novak playing the siblings.

Richard is survived by his wife Elizabeth Sherman, his children and grandchildren.