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Information About

Richard M. Sherman




  Background composer/lyricist
  Img RMSanniejpg
  Img Capt Richard M Sherman at the 2002 Annie Awards receiving the Windsor McKay award
  Born (age 79)
  Origin New York City, New York , USA
  Occupation Songwriter, Screenwriter


Richard M. Sherman (born ") is an Academy Award -winning Songwriter who specializes in Musical Film with his brother Robert B. 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) ".


EARLY LIFE

Richard Morton Sherman was born on . Together with his older brother Robert, " The Sherman Brothers " would eventually follow in their songwriting father's footsteps to form one of the most prolific, lauded and long lasting songwriting partnerships of all time.

Richard was an enthusiastic and energetic child and youth, still bearing that trademark trait well into his seventies. Following seven years of frequent cross-country moves, the Shermans 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 Summer 1946 graduation from 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 brother Robert began writing songs together on a challenge from their father, songwriter Al Sherman .


KOREAN CONFLICT

In 1953 Richard was drafted into United States Army joining the band and glee club. Richard served as a musical conductor 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.


MARRIAGE & 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.


CAREER


, 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 most well 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 2 Academy Awards for '' 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 '''' (1992).
on the cover of the 1991 publication: ''The Sherman Brothers Songbook", published by Hal Leonard Music.]]

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 hit the London stage 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 Spring 2005 a second Chitty company 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 '' made its world premier at the Prince Edward Theatre in December 2004 and features the Sherman Brothers classic songs. In 2008 ''Poppins'' is scheduled to embark on a UK tour a forthcoming US tour is also expected.


RECENT YEARS

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 nation wide (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 .

In 2006, Sherman began preproduction on the film project ''Inkas the Ramferinkas'' and on November 16 , 2006 , '' Mary Poppins '' premiered on Broadway at the New Amsterdam Theater .


COLLABORATION FROM AFAR

Since 2002, Robert Sherman has lived in London, England . He moved from Beverly Hills while Richard Sherman remained in California. Surprisingly however, the separation has not impeded the brothers' collaborative process. The brothers have credited this to the technological advents of Fax Machines , Email and low cost, international Telephone service. Also, 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 .


MAJOR SCORES






MOTION PICTURE SCREENPLAYS



STAGE MUSICALS

in 2004]]
in 2005]]


THEME PARK SONGS



PROFESSIONAL AWARDS


Academy Awards



Annie Awards



BAFTA Awards



BMI

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

  • 1977 "Pioneer Award" awarded in Los Angeles, California.



Christopher Award



Disney



Golden Globes



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 ''



Laurel Awards



Moscow Film Festival

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



Olivier Awards



Songwriters Hall of Fame

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



Variety Club Awards



Walk of Fame

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


LITERARY SOURCES

  • ''. 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''. , 1990.



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