Together with his brother Robert, Richard Sherman composed over 150 songs for the Walt Disney Company, leaving an indelible mark on the world of music.
The celebrated younger half of the Sherman Brothers, Richard M. Sherman, whose musical genius earned the duo two Oscars and two Grammys, passed away on Saturday in Beverly Hills, California, at the age of 95. His passing was confirmed by the Walt Disney Company. Richard’s brother, Robert, passed away in 2012.
A New York native, born on June 12, 1928, Sherman relocated to Beverly Hills, California, with his family at the tender age of 9. His father, Al Sherman, himself a renowned songwriter, encouraged Richard and his elder brother Robert to collaborate, a partnership that would flourish into a legendary songwriting duo.
The Sherman Brothers’ first recorded song by Gene Autry in 1951, “Gold Can Buy You Anything But Love,” paved the way for their breakthrough hit “Tall Paul,” capturing the attention of Walt Disney. Subsequently, they were appointed as staff songwriters for the Walt Disney Studios. Among their most famous creations was “It’s a Small World After All,” initially composed for the 1964 New York World’s Fair and subsequently becoming a beloved anthem within Disney theme parks worldwide.
In 1965, the Sherman Brothers were awarded two Oscars® for their contributions to “Mary Poppins,” winning Best Original Score and Best Original Song for “Chim Chim Cher-ee,” further cementing their legacy in cinematic history.
Along with his brother, he was nominated seven more times throughout the 1970s for other films including “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang,” “The Jungle Book,” and “Bedknobs and Broomsticks.” He also won a Grammy Award® for Best Original Score for “Mary Poppins.”
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