Disney Composer Robert Sherman Dies at 86

Oscar-winning composer Robert Sherman, a true Disney Legend, passed away in London Monday. He was 86.

Along with his brother Richard, Sherman composed countless songs for Disney films and theme parks which have become part of the soundtrack of our lives.

The Shermans initially attained popularity writing hit songs for Annette Funicello, including "Tall Paul" and "Pineapple Princess," and they also notably wrote "You're Sixteen (You're Beautiful, and You're Mine)."

Through the '60s and '70s the Shermans worked on numerous Disney films, with their memorable songs including "Let's Get Together" from THE PARENT TRAP (1961), "Winnie the Pooh" from WINNIE THE POOH AND THE HONEY TREE (1966), "I Wanna Be Like You" from THE JUNGLE BOOK (1967), and the Oscar-nominated "The Age of Not Believing" from BEDKNOBS AND BROOMSTICKS (1971).

Most importantly, the Shermans gave the world the Oscar-winning score for MARY POPPINS (1964), including "A Spoonful of Sugar," "Let's Go Fly a Kite," "Feed the Birds," "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious," and the Oscar-winning Best Song "Chim-Chim-Cheree."

MARY POPPINS is among my very earliest childhood memories. It was the first film I ever saw in a theater, and in my mind's eye I can see myself sitting by my little record player, looking at an album cover just like the one at the top of this post, listening to the songs over and over. The opening strains of the overture cause me to tear up, as does the emotional finale, "With tuppence for paper and string, you can have your own set of wings..." My favorite song is the haunting "Chim-Chim-Cheree" ("When you're with a sweep, you're in glad company!"). What incredibly special memories the Shermans gave us.

The Shermans are pictured here with MARY POPPINS stars Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke; Richard is on the left and Robert on the right. It's rather remarkable, given the film's impact on my life, that in recent years I've seen three of the four people in this photo in person -- everyone, in fact, but Robert. I saw Julie Andrews on April 8, 2008, Dick Van Dyke on October 2, 2011, and Richard Sherman on September 24, 2010, as well as September 9, 2011.

Dick Van Dyke was quoted today as saying "As songwriters, they were a perfect combination. The emotion was Robert and the fun was Dick's part. They were made by God for Walt Disney. They somehow managed to convey Walt's meaning in those songs."

The Sherman Brothers' most famous Disney theme park song was "It's a Small World," first written for Disney's attraction at the 1964 World's Fair. They also wrote the theme for the Enchanted Tiki Room ("In the tiki, tiki, tiki, tiki, tiki room..."), "Miracles From Molecules" in the fondly recalled Adventures in Inner Space, and "There's a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow" for the Carousel of Progress.

Disneyland paid tribute to Robert Sherman today, placing a wreath next to the Sherman Bros.' window on Main Street.

A public funeral is planned for Friday afternoon in Culver City.

Related Posts: Sherman Brothers to Be Honored at Disneyland (March 8, 2010); Sherman Brothers Honored Today at Disneyland (March 11, 2010); Today at Disneyland: Signs of Spring (March 18, 2010); Coming to DVD: Disney Documentaries (July 15, 2010); Today at Destination D: Disneyland '55 (September 24, 2010); Tonight's Theater: Mary Poppins (August 4, 2011).