The Disney universe--not to mention the songwriting galaxy--lost a bright star Monday when songwriting legend Robert Sherman died at age 86 in London. The loss prompted the Disney company to dim the lights on Broadway's New Amsterdam Theatre marquee Tuesday night, where "Mary Poppins" is currently playing.
Robert and his younger brother, Richard, composed scores for The Jungle Book, The Aristocats, Mary Poppins, and the non-Disney Chitty Chitty Bang Band. We can also credit them for the tune stuck in the collective heads of Baby-Boomers everywhere: "It's a Small World."
The family dynasty in songwriting started with their father, Tin Pan Alley songwriter, Al Sherman. Papa Al's songwriting mantra, according to Robert's son, Jeffrey, was to, "...keep it singable, simple and sincere." That's great advice! Robert Sherman, you will be greatly missed.I wrote a tribute to the Sherman brothers last December. Click here to read it .
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