Brock Posted March 6, 2012 Report Share Posted March 6, 2012 Legendary songwriter Robert Sherman, who famously teamed with his brother Richard to pen some of the most memorable movie songs of all time, has died at 86. It's the end of a brilliant, sad, but ultimately completely fascinating partnership which brought so many musical gifts to the world. FROM THE CBC: Songwriter Robert B. Sherman, who co-wrote memorable songs in films such as Mary Poppins and The Jungle Book, as well as the ubiquitous Disney tune It's a Small World (After All), has died. Sherman died peacefully in London on Monday at the age of 86, his agent Stella Richards confirmed on Tuesday. The songwriter's son, Jeffrey, revealed the news via Facebook and wrote that his father "wanted to bring happiness to the world and, unquestionably, he succeeded. "Forever his songs and his genius will bring hope, joy and love to this small, small world." Robert Sherman and his younger brother Richard were the sons of Rosa and Al Sherman, who was a successful composer on New York's Tin Pan Alley. Together, the brothers became an award-winning songwriting duo who created wrote more than 150 songs for Walt Disney films. In addition to songs for Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the prolific pair also wrote the musical scores for such films as: The Sword and the Stone The Parent Trap Bedknobs and Broomsticks The Aristocats Charlotte's Web Tom Sawyer Huckleberry Finn The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh Snoopy, Come Home The Tigger Movie The duo's catchy, family-friendly tunes earned them a raft of honours, including gold and platinum albums, two Academy Awards, a Grammy, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and entry into the U.S. Songwriters Hall of Fame. When former U.S. president George W. Bush awarded the brothers the National Medal of Arts in 2008, he hailed them for creating music that "helped bring joy to millions." War hero-turned-songwriter Sherman grew up in New York and Beverly Hills, Calif. In 1943, at the age of 17, he joined the army and was stationed in Europe during the Second World War. He eventually received multiple honours for his military service, including a Purple Heart medal. After the war, he returned to New York to study English literature and painting. During this time, he also began writing novels. Not long after, however, he and his brother began writing songs after their father challenged them to give it a try. "Being brothers, we sort of short-cut each other," Richard Sherman once said in an interview. "We can almost look at each other and know, 'Hey, you're onto something, kiddo.'" In the early 1950s, Sherman also married Joyce Sasner and the couple began their family. The first Sherman Brothers Top 10 hit arrived a few years later: Tall Paul, sung by Annette Funicello in 1958. The successful track for the former Mousketeer helped draw the attention of Disney executives and led to the Sherman Brothers being hired as staff songwriters for Walt Disney Studios. It's a Small World (After All), which the pair wrote for the 1964 World's Fair in New York could be considered their most enduring composition. It is one of the most translated and performed songs on the planet since it plays on a continual loop at Disney theme parks worldwide. "We've driven teenagers crazy in every language," Sherman quipped in a past interview. Aside from their film work, the brothers also penned the Tony-nominated musical Over Here! and hit songs like You're Sixteen and Let's Get Together. Though they suffered a period of estrangement, the brothers reunited to work together in recent years, including writing new lyrics and songs for the 2005 Broadway production of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Sherman spent his final years in London, where in addition to penning songs, he spent time writing and painting. He is survived by his two daughters and two sons. With files from The Associated Press SOURCE: http://www.cbc.ca/news/arts/story/2012/03/06/obit-sherman-robert-songwriter-disney.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Posted March 7, 2012 Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 My favorite Mary Poppins song: "Sister Suffragette" as sung by Glynis Johns, made shortly after her aborted Desilu "Glynis" series--backed up by Hermoine Baddley and Reta Shaw. "Our daughter's daughters will adore us. And they'll sing in grateful chorus: Well, done! sister Suffragette!" 2nd favorite "the Life I lead" "At 6:01, I march through the door. My slippers, sherry and pipe are due...at 6:02. How pleasant is the life I lead" I'm surprised one of their most unusual accomplishments wasn't mention: the Broadway score to the surprise hit of 1975 (or so) "Over Here" starring 2/3rds of the Andrews Sisters....Laverne had died and for the third sister I guess Patty went to the Unique Employment Agency but instead of Lucy, got Janie Sell...It's really their best work: a very overlooked and underrated score: songs that sound like they came right out of the big band era, without being derivative on any particular tune, including several with classic Andrews sisters harmony. Also in the cast: John Travolta, pre-stardom who had a solo. Supposedly after the ovations, Patty and Maxine would tear down the house with a medley of their hits (LIVE because you know what happened to the records they were going to lip-sync to...) I don't know that either of the sisters worked much after that, but for "Over Here" they rose to the occasion. I read somewhere they had a big falling out. Maxine died but as far as I know, Patty is still alive. "Over Here" has not had a revival, although I think it could be done. The plot is very thin, but the music is toe-tappin'! Thank you Shermans! I spent a lot of time listening to your music. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryCarter Posted March 7, 2012 Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 "Over Here" has not had a revival, although I think it could be done. The plot is very thin, but the music is toe-tappin'! Two years ago, there was a revival of Over Here! announced for a run in LA before moving to Broadway. Donna McKecknie and Pam Myers were announced to star alongside Dick Van Dyke. There was a website set up with information about the revival, but I haven't hear a word about it since then. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neil Posted March 7, 2012 Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 Two years ago, there was a revival of Over Here! announced for a run in LA before moving to Broadway. Donna McKecknie and Pam Myers were announced to star alongside Dick Van Dyke. There was a website set up with information about the revival, but I haven't hear a word about it since then. Dick Van Dyke?? I don't recall a prominent male role or even a showy supporting one. It's not possible he was the third in the singing trio, is it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryCarter Posted March 7, 2012 Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 Dick Van Dyke?? I don't recall a prominent male role or even a showy supporting one. It's not possible he was the third in the singing trio, is it? Dick Van Dyke was going to play "The Spokesman" who has one number in the show. I really don't know how big the part actually is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HarryCarter Posted March 7, 2012 Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 Doing some more research, it was reported that the revival was cancelled because Dick dropped out at the last minute when his partner Michelle was diagnosed with terminal cancer. This can't be true because I'm positive the revival was announced (with Dick's involvement) several weeks after Michelle died. Supposedly, the revival is still in the works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Posted March 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 My favorite Mary Poppins song: "Sister Suffragette" as sung by Glynis Johns, made shortly after her aborted Desilu "Glynis" series--backed up by Hermoine Baddley and Reta Shaw. "Our daughter's daughters will adore us. And they'll sing in grateful chorus: Well, done! sister Suffragette!" 2nd favorite "the Life I lead" "At 6:01, I march through the door. My slippers, sherry and pipe are due...at 6:02. How pleasant is the life I lead" Oddly enough, those are probably my two of my favourite songs from the movie as well, rounding out the top five along with I Love To Laugh and Spoonful of Sugar. Thanks to you both for the Over There! info. I think a YouTube excavation is in order. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C L A U D E Posted March 7, 2012 Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 Oddly enough, those are probably my two of my favourite songs from the movie as well, rounding out the top five along with I Love To Laugh and Spoonful of Sugar. Thanks to you both for the Over There! info. I think a YouTube excavation is in order. Are these the same Sherman brothers who had that documentary about them a while back that you were telling us about but i never got around to watching although i did record it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeySanJoaquin Posted March 7, 2012 Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story (2009) 101 min - Documentary A documentary about Robert B. Sherman & Richard M. Sherman -- aka The Sherman Brothers -- the Academy Award and Grammy-winning songwriters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C L A U D E Posted March 7, 2012 Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story (2009) 101 min - Documentary A documentary about Robert B. Sherman & Richard M. Sherman -- aka The Sherman Brothers -- the Academy Award and Grammy-winning songwriters. So, that's a YES then? LOL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brock Posted March 7, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 So, that's a YES then? LOL! Yes. lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C L A U D E Posted March 7, 2012 Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 Yes. lol Now which one had the son, Bobby Sherman? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeySanJoaquin Posted March 7, 2012 Report Share Posted March 7, 2012 :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leenorman Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 Now which one had the son, Bobby Sherman? I'm gonna 'sneak' in a post, now; MY MIND swung that way, as well, Claudie Dear.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C L A U D E Posted March 8, 2012 Report Share Posted March 8, 2012 I'm gonna 'sneak' in a post, now; MY MIND swung that way, as well, Claudie Dear.... Wonder if at HIS age he might be more of a grandson though, LOL! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leenorman Posted March 9, 2012 Report Share Posted March 9, 2012 Wonder if at HIS age he might be more of a grandson though, LOL! Bobby must be about our age by now, donchathink???? Love, JK Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C L A U D E Posted March 9, 2012 Report Share Posted March 9, 2012 Bobby must be about our age by now, donchathink???? Love, JK Honey, i'd rather not think about age at all at this point of my life. I knew Regis and Betty White when they were first starting out in show business. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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