Robert Sherman (left in the above photo), one of the most revered and loved Disney songwriters, has passed away at home in London at age 86.
Robert Sherman along with his brother, Richard, wrote some of the most iconic Disney songs, including Walt Disney’s personal favorite, “Feed the Birds”. Even if you have never heard of the Oscar Award Winner, or the “Sherman Brothers” you’ve definitely heard their music. “it’s a small world” (after all) is probably the most well known piece of Disney park music. Love it or hate it, the theme song to the iconic and loved Disney attraction is one of the most recognized musical scores in the world. Robert Sherman and his brother were also the musical geniuses of the 1964 classic Mary Poppins, including the zany ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’.
It’s tough to look anywhere at Disneyland park with seeing a section that was touched by Robert Sherman. The Sherman Brothers wrote, “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow”, “Miracles for Molecules”, The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh, ‘it’s a small world (after all)”, “Magic Highways” from the Rocket Rods, “Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room, and many more that can be heard at other Disney theme parks as well.
Robert Sherman’s work was highly recognized as he won or was nominated for 9 Academy Awards in the categories of Best Original Song and Best Music and Score. They included Mary Poppins’ “Chim Chim Cher-ee”, “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang”, “The Age of Not Believing” from Bedknobs and Broomsticks and the original scores for Tom Sawyer and Bedknobs and Broomsticks. And these awards only scratch the surface. Sherman was also nominated for 5 Golden Globes and won a Grammy. The song writing team also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of fame in 1976 . In 2010 the “Sherman Bothers” were honored with a window on Main Street USA. The window is dubbed, “Two Brothers Tunemakers” and can be found on a door next to the 20th Century Music Company.
Robert Sherman's Brother, Richard Sherman, during their Main Street Window Dedication Ceremony at Disneyland in 2010
In 1990 Robert Sherman was honored with the title, “Disney Legend”, and a legend he will always be. Most children don’t know the men behind the songs, but every child who sings ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’, or “it’s a small world” will always do so with a smile and some laughter, and that makes him a legend to us all.
If you’re interested in hearing or even rediscovering some of the Robert’s amazing contributions to Disney, I highly recommend The Sherman Brothers Songbook
