The famous Disney music maker, Richard M. Sherman, has passed away at 95 years old. He made lots of songs for Disney, like the ones in “Mary Poppins” and “It’s a Small World.” Many people loved his music, and he made them happy. We’ll miss him, but his songs will always stay with us.
Disney Composer Richard M. Sherman Dies At 95
Richard M. Sherman, the master of musical enchantment, effortlessly sprinkled magic into every song, whether it was about sweet treats or miniature universes.
This musical genius, known for crafting over 200 songs in 27 Disney movies, peacefully passed away due to age-related illness at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Beverly Hills, at the age of 95. His departure was confirmed by the Walt Disney Company, which hailed him as “one of the most productive composer-lyricists in the realm of family entertainment” and a vital member of Walt Disney’s creative circle.
Disney songwriter Richard M Sherman dies aged 95 https://t.co/OLT4Cjexq5
— BBC News (World) (@BBCWorld) May 25, 2024
Teaming up with his brother Robert B. Sherman, who passed away in 2012 at the age of 86, Richard Sherman contributed to Disney’s iconic soundtrack with timeless classics like “Mary Poppins,” “The Jungle Book,” and “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.”
Their infectious tunes, such as “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” “A Spoonful of Sugar,” and the Academy Award-winning “Chim Chim Cher-ee,” have become ingrained in music history, transcending generations.
Their unparalleled contribution to music also includes crafting what could arguably be the most widely heard song ever, “It’s a Small World (After All),” which has been estimated by the Library of Congress to have been played over 50 million times since its debut in 1964.
The irresistible charm of Sherman’s compositions can be traced back to his upbringing in a family steeped in music, with his father, Al, being a renowned songwriter in Tin Pan Alley.
“In songwriting, he imparted a golden rule to us,” Sherman shared in a 2013 interview with The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “You had to captivate the audience within eight bars. Thus, we mastered the art of crafting a catchy phrase, and an enticing opening line. Our mantra was simple: Keep it uncomplicated, melodious, and genuine, but with a touch of originality. Just like Irving Berlin and Rodgers and Hammerstein, we adhered to these principles.”
