I awoke this morning to learn of the passing of Robert B. Sherman of the legendary Sherman Brothers songwriting team – the name that has been synonymous with Disney music in classic films and theme park attractions since the early 1960′s.

Together with his brother Richard, “The Boys” won 2 Academy Awards for Mary Poppins, and have received 9 additional Academy Award nominations, 2 Grammy Awards and 4 nominations, Tony nominations, had #1 pop songs and an astounding 23 gold and platinum albums.

Robert’s son posted the news via Facebook on March 5, 2012:

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

Remembering their father’s words to keep their songs “simple, singable and sincere,” their credits read like a “best of” list from Disney films, television shows, and attractions, having written more motion picture musical song scores than any other songwriting team in history, including such timeless classics as the music from Mary Poppins, The Jungle Book, The Aristocats, The Tigger Movie, it’s a small world, There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow, Epcot’s Imagination Pavilion, The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room and countless others.

On a personal level, the music of the Sherman Brothers has touched my life and that of my family greatly. The songs that the Brothers wrote for films were very much a part of my childhood. They were (and continue to be) so uplifting, and put smiles on my face more times than I can count. I think back to singing them with my parents on long car trips to Walt Disney World, or at home while watching Mary Poppins on VHS tapes. The music has truly touched me, and continues to do so. Now I have been able to pass them along to my children, and see how they enjoy them.

While I never met Robert, I did have the privilege of interviewing and eventually befriending his brother, Richard, and meeting his son. You can listen to my interviews with Richard as he reminisces about growing up and working with Robert in WDW Radio Show #80 and WDW Radio Show #135

So to Mr. Sherman, I want to say that your music has made me, and I’m sure many others realize that the world we live in truly is a small one. The true meaning of why we should “feed the birds,” and the importance of “flying a kite” with our families. Simple concepts that are often forgotten in a fast-paced world like treating each other with kindness and the importance of spending time with our children.

In honor of you I will, as I often do, pick up my children from school today and sing along with them to your timeless music. And tonight, we will gather together as a family and watch “The Boys” in your memory. Thank you, sir. You’ve made an impact and difference in my life and that of my family, and for that I am truly grateful. I believe that today you are in a better place, looking down on the countless lives you have touched, and smiling.

The post My Thanks to Robert Sherman of the Sherman Brothers appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Hello and welcome to The WDW Radio Show – Your Walt Disney World Information Station. I am your host, Lou Mongello, and this is show #261 for the week of February 12, 2012.

With the Academy Awards coming up soon, I thought it would be interesting to take a look at Walt Disney and the Oscars. Recorded live at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World, Jim Korkis and I look at discuss the history of the Awards ceremony, Walt’s unparalleled achievements, the Oscars that can be found at the Studios and elsewhere, stories about Walt at the Academy Awards, and much, much more.

I’ll share the three announcements we made during this past weekend’s live 5 Year Anniversary event in Walt Disney World before playing more of your voicemails at the end of the show. So sit back, relax, and enjoy this week’s episode of the WDW Radio Show.

Thanks for listening! Be sure to tune in next week!

Information and Links from This Week’s Show:

Question for YOU: What is your favorite Disney film? What Disney movie should have won an Oscar, but didn’t?

The Vault of Walt is also the latest selection in our WDW Radio Disney Book Club

Purchase The Vault of Walt by Jim Korkis on Amazon.com

Join us and Richard M. Sherman on the WDW Radio Cruise on the Disney Dream!!

• Private Tours of Walt Disney World with Lou Mongello
• Disney Fan Meets and WDW Radio Meets of the Month in Walt Disney World – Get dates and locations at DisneyMeets.com
• WDWNewsCast – Watch & chat during our LIVE NewsCast Wednesdays at 7:30pm ET – Be part of the broadcast & discuss live in the chat room at http://WDWNewsCast.com
• WDW Radio on YouTube – Watch past episodes, subscribe to the show and comment on the WDWRadio YouTube Channel

The post Show # 261 – February 12, 2012 appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.

Welcome to The WDW Radio Show – Your Walt Disney World Information Station. I am your host, Lou Mongello and this is show #80 for the week of August 17, 2008.

This week’s show is very special, as I will be devoting an entire episode to a single segment, and more importantly, a single man. He is Richard M. Sherman. You know him as one of the Sherman Brothers, the most successful songwriting team in history, and the name that defines the music and mood of so many Disney feature films and theme park attractions.

Mr. Sherman joins me in this one-to-one interview about his career beginnings, time at the Disney Studios, working for and with Walt Disney, and the stories behind the stories of working on timeless classics like Mary Poppins and legendary songs such as “it’s a small world” and hundreds of others.

I’ll end the show not with announcements or voicemails, but instead, with my small tribute to the work of the Sherman Brothers in thanks for Mr. Sherman joining me on the show, and for a lifetime of memories he helped create.

So sit back, relax, and enjoy a very special episode of the WDW Radio Show.

Richard M. Sherman and The Sherman Brothers

Robert (left) and Richard Sherman 

 

 

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Walt’s Time – Click Here to Order from Amazon.com

 

 

The post Show #80 – August 17, 2008 appeared first on WDW Radio - Your Walt Disney World Information Station by Lou Mongello.