Richard Morton Sherman
Sherman at the 2002 Annie Awards receiving the Windsor McKay award.
Background information
Birth name	Richard Morton Sherman
Born	June 12, 1928 (1928-06-12) (age 81)
Origin	New York City, New York, USA
Occupations	Composer, lyricist, screenwriter
Years active	1950s–present
Website	www.shermanmusic.com

Richard Morton Sherman (born June 12, 1928; see also: "Sherman Brothers") is an American songwriter who specializes in musical film with his brother Robert Bernard Sherman.

Some of the Sherman Brothers' best-known writing includes the songs from Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, Winnie the Pooh, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, The Slipper and the Rose and the theme park song, "It's a Small World (after all)".

[edit] Early life

Richard Morton Sherman was born in New York City to Russian-Jewish immigrants, Rosa & Al Sherman. Together with his older brother Robert, "The Sherman Brothers" would eventually follow in their songwriting father's footsteps to form a long-lasting songwriting partnership.

Following seven years of frequent cross-country moves, the Sherman family finally settled down in Beverly Hills, California in 1937. Throughout Richard's years at Beverly Hills High School he became fascinated with music and studied several instruments including the flute, piccolo and piano.

At his 1946 graduation from Beverly Hills High School, Richard Sherman and André Previn played a musical duet - Previn (played piano) accompanying Sherman (who played flute). Coincidentally, in 1965 both composers won Oscars for different films, both winning in musical categories.

At Bard College, Richard majored in Music, writing numerous sonatas and "art songs" during his time there but it was Richard's ambition to write the "Great American Symphony" which eventually led him to write songs. Within two years of graduating, Richard and Robert Sherman began writing songs together on a challenge from their father, songwriter Al Sherman.

[edit] Korean conflict

In 1953 Richard was drafted into United States Army joining the band and glee club. Richard served as a musical conductor for both groups and remained in the U.S. during his time in the service. He was not in combat. During this time, collaborator brother, Robert, worked with other songwriters. In 1955 Sherman was honorably discharged from the Armed Forces.

[edit] Marriage and family

In 1957 Richard married Elizabeth Gluck with whom he had two children: Gregory and Victoria. Lynda (Sherman) Rothstein is his daughter from a previous marriage.

[edit] Career

(Left to right) Robert B. Sherman, Richard M. Sherman and Walt Disney sing "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow"

In 1958 the Sherman Brothers had their first "Top Ten" hit with "Tall Paul", sung by Mouseketeer Annette Funicello. The success of this song yielded the attention of Walt Disney who eventually hired the Sherman Brothers as Staff Songwriters for Walt Disney Studios.

While at Disney, the Sherman Brothers wrote what is perhaps their best-loved song: It's a Small World (after all) for the 1964 New York World's Fair. Since then, "Small World" has become the most translated and performed song on earth.

In 1965, the Sherman Brothers won two Academy Awards for the film Mary Poppins (1964), which includes the songs "Feed The Birds", "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" and the Oscar winner, "Chim Chim Cher-ee". Since Mary Poppins premiere, the Sherman Brothers have subsequently earned 9 Academy Award nominations, 2 Grammy Awards, 4 Grammy Award nominations and an 23 gold and platinum albums.

The Shermans worked directly for Walt Disney until Disney's death in 1966. Since leaving the company, the brother songwriting team has worked freelance on scores of motion pictures, television shows, theme park exhibits and stage musicals.

Their first non-Disney assignment came with Albert R. Broccoli's motion picture production Chitty Chitty Bang Bang in 1968 which garnered the brothers their third Academy Award Nomination. In 1973, the Sherman Brothers made history by becoming the only Americans ever to win First Prize at the Moscow Film Festival for Tom Sawyer for which they also authored the screenplay.

The Slipper and the Rose was chosen as the Royal Command Performance of 1976 and was attended by Her Royal Highness, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. A modern musical adaptation of the classic Cinderella story, "Slipper" also features both song-score and screenplay by the Sherman Brothers. That same year the Sherman Brothers received their star on the Hollywood "Walk of Fame" directly across from Grauman's Chinese Theater.

Their numerous other Disney and Non-Disney top box office film credits include The Jungle Book (1967), The Aristocats (1970), The Parent Trap (1961), The Parent Trap (1998), Charlotte's Web (1973) , The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (1977), Snoopy, Come Home (1972), Bedknobs And Broomsticks (1971) and Little Nemo: Adventures In Slumberland (1992).

Outside of the motion picture realm, their Tony nominated smash hit, Over Here! (1974) was the biggest grossing original Broadway Musical of that year. The Sherman Brothers have also written numerous top selling songs including "You're Sixteen" which holds the distinction of reaching Billboard's #1 spot twice; first with Johnny Burnette in 1960 and then with Ringo Starr fourteen years later. Other top-ten hits include, "Pineapple Princess", "Let's Get Together" and more.

In 2000, the Sherman Brothers wrote the song score for Disney's blockbuster film: The Tigger Movie (2000). This film marked the brothers' first major motion picture for the Disney company in over twenty eight years. In 2002, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang hit the London stage as a musical and received rave revues. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is currently the most successful stage show ever produced at the London Palladium boasting the longest run in that century-old theatre's history. In 2005 the musical premiered on Broadway (New York City) at the Hilton Theatre. The Sherman Brothers wrote an additional six songs specifically for the new stage productions.

In 2003, four Sherman Brothers' musicals ranked in the "Top 10 Favorite Children's Films of All Time" in a (British) nationwide poll reported by the BBC. The Jungle Book (1967)_ranked at #7, Mary Poppins (1964) ranked at #8, The Aristocats (1970) ranked at #9 and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) topped the list at #1.

A new Disney and Cameron Mackintosh production of Mary Poppins: The Stage Musical made its world premiere at the Prince Edward Theatre in December 2004, featuring the Sherman Brothers' classic songs. The show went on to successful runs in New York and Los Angeles.

[edit] Recent years

The Sherman Brothers receive the National Medal of Arts, the highest honor bestowed upon artists from the United States Government. (left to right Robert B. Sherman, Richard M. Sherman and U.S. President George W. Bush at The White House on November 17, 2008

• The Sherman Brothers' classic motion picture,

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang was adapted into a London West End Musical in 2002 and premiered at the London Palladium on April 16, 2002 featuring many new songs and a reworked score by both Sherman Brothers. It was nominated for a 2003 Laurence Olivier Theatre Award for Best New Musical. The Sherman Brothers each received the "Musical Theatre Award" from the Variety Club of Great Britain that year as well for Chitty. Chitty finished a record breaking, three and a half year run at the Palladium becoming the longest running show in the theatre's century long history. 2004 saw the premiere of Mary Poppins on the stage. In 2005, Poppins was nominated for nine Olivier Awards. In 2005 Chitty went to Broadway and was nominated for 9 Tonys and also began its nationwide (UK) tour.

• On June 9, 2005, Sherman was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame alongside Bill Withers, Steve Cropper, John Fogerty, Isaac Hayes, David Porter and his brother, Robert B. Sherman.

• On November 16, 2006 the Cameron Mackintosh/Disney production of Mary Poppins made its Broadway premiere at the New Amsterdam Theater featuring the Sherman Brothers’ classic songs.

• In 2007, Sherman began preproduction on the film project Inkas the Ramferinkas in London, Munich and Los Angeles for which he collaborated on both the script and score. During the 40th anniversary DVD rerelease of The Jungle Book London press junket (for which Sherman served as Disney's "Worldwide Ambassador"), Richard and brother Robert were witnessed by press working on a new song for Inkas in the same Brown's Hotel room where The Jungle Book was originally completed by British writer, Rudyard Kipling over a hundred years earlier.^[1]

• In February, 2008 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang began a second UK tour. In 2008 and 2009, Poppins is scheduled to premiere in numerous cities throughout the world including: Stockholm, Copenhagen, Budapest, Shanghai, Toronto, Sydney, Johannesburg, Amsterdam, Buenos Aires, São Paulo and Helsinki. Full UK and US tours of Poppins are also scheduled to commence in 2008 and 2009 respectively.

• On Saturday, October 4, 2008, Sherman appeared as a surprise guest on stage at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles during The Swell Season's sold out concert and performed

"Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" with the band.

• On Monday, November 17, 2008, Robert and Richard Sherman were awarded the National Medal of Arts at the White House by President George W. Bush in the East Room. The National Medal of Arts is the highest award bestowed onto artist by the United States Government.

[edit] Collaboration from afar

Since 2002, Robert Sherman has lived in London, England. He moved from Beverly Hills, while Richard Sherman remained in California. The geographical separation has not impeded the brothers' collaborative process. The brothers have credited this to fax, email and low cost international telephone service. Both brothers travel between Los Angeles, New York and London frequently which also facilitates their work. Since Robert's move, the brothers have continued to collaborate on various musical plays^[2].

[edit] Major film scores

[edit] Motion picture screenplays

• A Symposium on Popular Songs, 1962 (uncredited)
• Mary Poppins, 1964 (*treatment only, uncredited)
• The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, 1973
• The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, 1974
• The Slipper and the Rose, 1976
• The Magic of Lassie, 1978
• Ferdinand the Bull, 1986 (*TV screenplay)
• Inkas the Ramferinkas, 2010 (announced)

[edit] Stage musicals

The London Palladium in 2004

Prince Edward Theatre in 2005

New Amsterdam Theatre in 2007.

• Victory Canteen, 1971 (Ivar Theatre, L.A.)
• Over Here!, 1974 (Broadway, NY)
• Dawgs, 1983 (Variety Arts Center, L.A.)
• Busker Alley, 1995 (U.S. Tour)
• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 2002 (London)
• Mary Poppins, 2004 (London)
• On the Record 2004-5 (U.S. Tour)
• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 2005 (Broadway, NY)
• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 2005 (UK Tour)
• Busker Alley, 2006 (Broadway, NY - *one night only)
• Mary Poppins, 2006 (Broadway, NY)
• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 2007 (Singapore)
• Mary Poppins, 2008 (UK Tour)
• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, 2008 (Second UK Tour)
• Mary Poppins, 2008 (Sweden)
• Mary Poppins, 2009 (US Tour)
• Mary Poppins, 2009 (Copenhagen)
• Mary Poppins, 2009 (Budapest)
• Mary Poppins, 2009 (Shanghai)
• Mary Poppins, 2009 (Australia)
• Mary Poppins, 2009 (South Africa)
• Mary Poppins, 2009 (Amsterdam)
• Mary Poppins, 2009 (Helsinki)

[edit] Theme park songs

• There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow for Carousel of Progress
• "The Best Time Of Your Life" for Carousel of Progress
• Miracles from Molecules for Adventure Thru Inner Space
• One Little Spark for Journey Into Imagination
• Magic Journeys for Journey Into Imagination
• The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (attraction)
• "it's a small world" for the 1964 New York World's Fair attraction of the same name.
• "The Astuter Computer Revue" for the 1982 premiere of the CommuniCore Exhibit at EPCOT.
• Magic Highways for Rocket Rods
• Making Memories for Magic Journeys
• The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room for Walt Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room
• "We Meet the World with Love" and Meet the World for the same exhibit in Tokyo Disneyland

[edit] Professional awards

[edit] Academy Awards

• 1979 Nominated Academy Award in the category of "Best Music, Original Song" for "When You're Loved" from The Magic of Lassie
• 1978 Nominated Academy Award in the category of "Best Music, Original Song" for "The Slipper and the Rose Waltz" from The Slipper and the Rose"
• 1978 Nominated Academy Award in the category of "Best Music, Original Song Score & Its Adaptation Or Best Adaptation Score" for The Slipper and the Rose"
• 1974 Nominated Academy Award in the category of "Best Music, Scoring Original Song Score and/or Adaptation" for Tom Sawyer
• 1972 Nominated Academy Award in the category of "Best Music, Original Song" for "The Age of Not Believing" from Bedknobs and Broomsticks
• 1972 Nominated Academy Award in the category of "Best Music, Scoring Adaptation and Original Song Score" for Bedknobs and Broomsticks
• 1969 Nominated Academy Award in the category of "Best Original Song" for "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
• 1965 Won Academy Award in the category of "Best Original Song" for "Chim Chim Cher-ee" from Mary Poppins
• 1965 Won Academy Award in the category of "Best Music, Score - Substantially Original" for Mary Poppins

[edit] Annie Awards

• 2003 "Winsor McCay Award" for lifetime achievement and contribution to animation
• 2000 Nominated Annie in the category of "Outstanding Individual Achievement for Music in an Animated Feature Production" for the song "Round My Family Tree" from The Tigger Movie

[edit] BAFTA Awards

• 1977 Nominated "Anthony Asquith Award for Film Music" for The Slipper and the Rose

[edit] BMI

• 1991 "Lifetime Achievement Award" awarded at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles, California.
• 1977 "Pioneer Award" awarded in Los Angeles, California.

[edit] Christopher Award

• 1973 "Christopher Award" for "Best Original Song Score" for Tom Sawyer
• 1964 "Christopher Award" for "Best Original Song Score" for Mary Poppins

[edit] Disney

• 1990 "Disney Legends" awarded at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California.
• 1985 "Mousecar" awarded at the Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood, California in front of 20,000 people.

[edit] Golden Globes

• 1977 Nominated Golden Globe in the category of "Best Original Score" for The Slipper and the Rose
• 1974 Nominated Golden Globe in the category of "Best Original Score" for Tom Sawyer
• 1969 Nominated Golden Globe in the category of "Best Original Score" for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
• 1969 Nominated Golden Globe in the category of "Best Original Song" for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
• 1965 Nominated Golden Globe in the category of "Best Original Score" for Mary Poppins

[edit] Grammy Awards

• 1974 Nominated Grammy in the category of "Best Original Score for a Musical Show" for Over Here!
• 1972 Nominated Grammy in the category of "Best Original Score for a Children's Show" for Snoopy Come Home
• 1965 Won Grammy in the category of "Best Original Score for a Motion Picture or Television Show" for Mary Poppins

[edit] Laurel Awards

• 1966 3rd place "Golden Laurel" in the category of "Best Song" "That Darn Cat!" for That Darn Cat!
• 1965 Won "Golden Laurel" in the category of "Best Song" "Chim Chim Cher-ee" for Mary Poppins
• 1965 2nd Place "Golden Laurel" in the category of McO;Husic Men"

[edit] Moscow Film Festival

• 1973 First Place Award in the category of "Best Music" for Tom Sawyer

[edit] National Medal of Arts

• On Monday, November 17, 2008 Robert and Richard Sherman were awarded the National Medal of Arts at the White House by President George W. Bush in the East Room. The National Medal of Arts is an award and title created by the Congress of the United States in 1984, for the purpose of honoring artists and patrons of the arts. It is the highest honor conferred to an individual artist on behalf of the people. Honorees are selected by the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), and ceremoniously presented the award by the President of the United States.^[3]

[edit] Olivier Awards

• 2002 Nominated "Best Musical" for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

[edit] Songwriters Hall of Fame

• 2005 induction at the Marriott Hotel on Times Square in New York.

[edit] Variety Club Awards

• 2003 Won "Best Musical" for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

[edit] Walk of Fame

To "Richard & Robert Sherman" awarded on November 17, 1976, located at 6914 Hollywood Blvd.

[edit] References

• Sherman, Robert B. Walt's Time: from before to beyond. Santa Clarita: Camphor Tree Publishers, 1998.
• Greene, Kathrine and Richard. "Inside The Dream: The Personal Story of Walt Disney". New York: Disney Editions, 2001.
• Peterson, Monique. Disney's The Little Big Book of Pooh. New York: Disney Editions, 2002.
• Tietyen, David. The Musical World of Walt Disney. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Hal Leonard Publishing Corporation, 1990.

[edit] External links

• Audio Interview with Richard M. Sherman on the WDW Radio Show by Lou Mongello
• Walt's Time
• Sherman Music
• Richard M. Sherman at the Internet Broadway Database
• Richard M. Sherman at the Internet Movie Database