Celebrity

‘Thank you for the music’: Tributes flow for renowned Disney songwriter Richard M. Sherman

Matthew Hart
May 27, 2024
As news of Sherman's passing broke, fans across the world offered heartfelt tributes, expressing gratitude for his musical legacy and reminiscing about their cherished songs from his illustrious career. Source: Getty Images.

The man behind some of Disney’s biggest hit songs, Richard M. Sherman, has sadly passed away at the age of 95.

Sherman, known for his unforgettable tunes for hit films such as Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, and the timeless Disneyland anthem It’s a Small World (After All), passed away on Saturday, May 25, due to age-related illness.

Disney took to social media to announce his passing, expressing gratitude for his “incredible legacy of music”.

“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Disney Legend Richard Sherman,” the company wrote.

“Your songs are the soundtrack to so many of our memories, including the iconic “Feed the Birds.” Thank you for filling the world with your joy and for the incredible legacy of music you created.”

Born June 12, 1928, Sherman developed a love for music while attending Beverly Hills High School where he learned to play instruments such as the piano, flute, and the piccolo.

Following his graduation from Bard College, where he majored in music, Sherman and his brother, Robert were challenged to write songs together by their father, a successful songwriter himself.

In 1958, the Sherman Brothers hit the charts with Tall Paul, marking the beginning of their successful journey.

Their catchy tunes caught the ear of Walt Disney, who hired them as Staff Songwriters at Disney where they penned the iconic It’s a Small World (After All) for the 1964 New York World’s Fair.

In 1965, the brother won two Academy Awards for Mary Poppins, including Best Original Score and Best Original Song.

Their talents extended to films such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968), which earned them another Academy Award nomination. They also contributed to hits such as The Jungle Book (1967), The Aristocats (1970), and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977), leaving a lasting mark on cinema.

In addition to his two Oscars for Mary Poppins, Sherman clinched three Grammy Awards and amassed an impressive collection of 24 gold and platinum albums during his illustrious 65-year career.

In collaboration with his brother, he penned over 200 songs for an impressive 27 films and 24 television productions.

As news of Sherman’s passing broke, fans across the world offered heartfelt tributes, expressing gratitude for his musical legacy and reminiscing about their cherished songs from his illustrious career.

Sherman is survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and their two children: Gregory and Victoria as well as a daughter, Lynda, from a previous marriage.

-with AP.

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