How do you sum up the work of songwriter Robert B. Sherman? Try one word, "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious."
The tongue - twisted term, sung by magical nanny Mary Poppins, is like much of Robert Sherman's work - both complex and instantly memorable, for child and adult alike.Once heard, it was never forgotten. Their work includes the jaunty "A Spoonful of Sugar" and their somber "Feed the Birds" for "Mary Poppins".
Robert Sherman and his brother Richard, put songs into the mouths of nannies and chimney sweeps, jungle animals and Parisian felines. The Sherman Brothers composed scores for films including "The Jungle Book," "The Aristocats," "Tiki Tiki Tiki Room" and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang." They also wrote the most - played tune on earth,"it's a small world"(after all).
The Sherman Brothers career was long, prolific and garlanded with awards. They won two Academy Awards for Walt Disney's 1964 "Mary Poppins" - best score and best song, "Chim Chim Cheree." They also picked up a Grammey for best movie or TV score. Their hundreds of credits as joint lyricist and composer also include the films "Winne the Pooh," "The Slipper and the Rose," "Snoopy Come Home," "Charlotte's Web" and "The Magic of Lassie."
The Sherman brothers awards include 23 gold and platinum albums and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. They became the only Americans ever to win First Prize at the Moscow Film Festival for "Tom Sawyer" in 1973 and were inducted into the Song-writers Hall of Fame in 2005.
As a film critic,Leonard Maltin saided recently, "you can't help but smile when you sing or hum a Sherman brothers song."
Robert Sherman was born on Dec. 19,1925 in New York City.
Robert's son Jeff, posted on Facebook:
Hello to family and friends,
I have very sad news to convey,
My Dad, Robert B. Sherman, passed away tonight in London. He went peacefully after months of truly valiantly fending off death. He loved life and his dear heart finally slowed to a stop when he could fight no more.
I will write more about this incredible man I love and admire so much when I am better rested and composed. He deserves that.
In the meantime, please say a prayer for him. As he said, he wanted to bring happiness to the world and, unquestionably, he succeeded. His love and his prayers, his philosophy and his poetry will live on forever. Forever his songs and his genius will bring hope, joy and love to this small, small world.
I Love you, Dad.
Safe travels.
Love
Jeff
it really is a small world after all...DR Lee
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1 comment:
Walt's favorite Sherman Bros. song was 'Feed the Birds' from Mary Poppins.
Walt would walk into their office whenever he was feeling melancholy or stressed, look at the Bros. and simply state, 'Play it boys.'
They knew what Walt wanted. He would stare out the window overlooking his studio as they quietly performed and it is said that a tear would roll down his cheek. As Walt grew more ill, this was a more frequent event. He loved 'The Boy's', as he called them.
The world is a better place thanks to the Sherman Bros. Thanks Boys!
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