Robert B. Sherman (Nickname Moose) was born
December 19, just before Christmas in 1925 in New
York City. Parents, Rosa & Al Sherman didn't
know how they would pay the doctor and delivery
costs. Fortunately upon their arrival home from the
hospital, Al discovered a large royalty check in
the mail. Ironically it was Al's song, "Save Your
Sorrow" which saved the day and covered the bill.
In 1928, younger brother Richard was born. Years
later brothers Robert and Richard would form one of
the most prolific, lauded and long lasting
songwriting partnerships of all
time.
As a youth, Robert excelled in intellectual
pursuits, taking up the violin and piano, painting
and writing poetry. Following seven years of
frequent cross-country moves, the Shermans finally
settled down in Beverly Hills, California.
Throughout Robert's years at Beverly Hills High
School, he wrote and produced radio and stage
programs for which he won much acclaim. At sixteen
years old, Robert wrote a stage play entitled,
ARMISTICE AND DEDICATION DAY which earned thousands
of dollars worth in War Bonds and garnered Sherman
a special citation from the War
Department.
In 1943 Robert obtained permission from his
parents to join the army a year early, at only age
17. In early April, 1945 he inadvertently led half
a squad of men into Dachau Concentration Camp, the
first Allied troops to enter the camp after it had
been evacuated by the fleeing German military only
hours earlier. On April 12, 1945, the day President
Roosevelt died, Robert was shot in the knee forcing
him to walk with a cane ever
since.
During his recuperation in Taunton and
Bournemouth England, Robert was awarded the Purple
Heart medal. While still rehabilitating, Robert
first became curious about British culture, reading
voraciously anything he could find on the subject.
Once on his feet, Robert met and became friends
with many Brits, attaining first hand knowledge of
the United Kingdom, her customs and people. His
fascination with England would later prove an
invaluable resource to his songwriting career; many
of his most well known works centering around
Anglo-themed stories and subject
matter.
Upon his return to the United States, Robert
attended Bard College in upstate New York where he
majored in English Literature and Painting. At Bard
Robert completed his first two novels entitled, THE
BEST ESTATE and MUSIC, CANDY AND PAINTED EGGS. He
graduated in the class of
1949.
Within two years Robert and brother Richard
began writing songs together on a challenge from
their father. In 1953 Robert married the love of
his life, Joyce Sasner, which helped to neutralize
what had become Robert's wildly bohemian lifestyle
in the years following the war. In 1958 Robert
founded the music publishing company, Music World
Corporation, which later enjoyed a landmark
relationship with Disney's BMI publishing arm,
Wonderland Music Company. That same year, the
Sherman Brothers had their first "Top Ten" hit with
"Tall Paul", sung by Mouscateer, Annette Funicello.
The success of this song yielded the attention of
Walt Disney who eventually hired the Sherman
Brothers on 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 New York World's
Fair in 1964. 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". SinceMary Poppins
(1964)motion picture premiere, the Sherman Brothers
have subsequently earned 9 Academy Award
nominations, 2 Grammy Awards, 4 Grammy Award
nominations and an incredible 23 gold and platinum
albums.
Robert and Richard 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 (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
(1973/I) for which they also authored the
screenplay.
The Slipper and the Rose (1976), was picked
to be the Royal Command Performance of the year 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 the Chinese
Theater.
Their numerous other Disney and Non-Disney
top box office film credits include The Jungle Book
(1967), The Aristocats (1970), The Parent Trap
(1961), The Parent Trap (1998), Charlotte's Web
(1973) , The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
(1977), Snoopy Come Home (1972), Bedknobs And
Broomsticks (1971)and Little Nemo: Adventures In
Slumberland (1992).
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: THE
STAGE MUSICAL 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 April 2002, an exhibition of Robert's
paintings was held in London, England at Thompsons'
Gallery on Marylebone High Street. This marked the
first public exhibition of Robert's paintings ever
which is amazing considering Robert had been
painting since 1941. The London Exhibition was
widely covered by TV, radio and printed press.
Robert subsequently enjoyed a succession of
successful art exhibitions in the United States
with the sale of many Limited Edition giclée
prints of his work.
In 2002, Sherman moved from Beverly Hills to
London, England where he continues to write and
paint.
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 Cameron Mackintosh production of Mary
Poppins: The Stage Musical made its world premier
at the Prince Edward Theatre in December 2004 and
features the Sherman Brothers classic songs. This
show is expected to premiere on Broadway in
2006.
Inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame
on June 9, 2005 in New York City alongside his
brother, Richard M.
Sherman
Also in June 2005, a tribute was paid to
Robert B. Sherman at the Théâtre de
Vevey in Switzerland by the Ballet Romand. Chitty
will be commencing its full UK tour in December
2005.
Spouse:
Joyce Ruth (Sasner) Sherman - (Married 27 September
1953 - 16 October 2001) (her death); 4
children.
In 2005 Robert Sherman completed a candid
and unconventional autobiographical novel entitled
Moose. He continues to reside in London,
England.
Part
3. Editor's Note /
According To IDMb
data base for ROBERT
B. SHERMAN, Composer - filmography -
The
pop song written in the 1960s and 1970 with Bob
Roberts/Troy Cory Record Sessions are mentioned in
Editor's
Byline.
(2000s) (1990s) (1980s) (1970s) (1960s)
(1950s)
1. Bewitched (2005) (song
"'Bout
Time")
2. War of the Worlds (2005)
(song "Hushabye Mountain" from film "Chitty Chitty
Bang Bang") (as Richard
Sherman)
3. Disneyland: The First 50
Magical Years (2005)
(uncredited)
4. Pooh's Heffalump Movie
(2005) (song "Winnie the
Pooh")
5. Around the World in 80
Days (2004) (song "It's A Small
World")
6. Piglet's Big Movie (2003)
(song "Winnie the
Pooh")
7. Kingdom Hearts (2002)
(VG) (song "Winnie the Pooh") (uncredited) -- aka
Kingudamu hâtsu
(Japan)
8. The Tigger Movie (2000)
(songs) -- aka Tigger: The
Movie
9. Winnie the Pooh: Seasons
of Giving (1999) (V) (songs) -- aka Disney's Winnie
the Pooh: Seasons of Giving (USA: complete
title)
10. Michelle Kwan Skates to
Disney's Greatest Hits (1999) (TV)
(songs)
11. The Mighty Kong (1998)
(V)
(songs)
12. My Interactive Pooh
(1998) (VG) (songs)
Robert
Sherman Filmography as: Composer,
Miscellaneous Crew,
Writer, Actor, Producer, Himself
Miscellaneous Crew - filmography
(1980s) (1970s)
(1960s)
1. Winnie the Pooh and a Day
for Eeyore (1983) (lyricist)
-- aka A Day for Eeyore
(USA: short
title)
2. The Many Adventures of
Winnie the Pooh (1977)
(lyricist)
3. Snoopy Come Home (1972)
(lyricist)
4. Bedknobs and Broomsticks
(1971) (lyricist) --
aka Bedknobs and
Broomsticks: 25th Anniversary Special Edition (USA:
longer
version)
5. A Boy Called Nuthin'
(1967) (TV)
(lyricist)
6. Mary Poppins (1964)
(lyricist)
During a recent interview with Pete Allman
of Celebrity Scene, Troy explained his early song
writing days in Hollywood, and how he first met hit
song writers/record producers, Bob Roberts, and Bob
and Dick Sherman, of Disney Studio fame.
"At that time", says
Troy, "I was a recording artist with Art Rupe's
Specialty Records, and collaborating with my comedy
team partner, song writer, Tip Tobin, Sonny Bono,
and Dorothy Swafford in the production of my next
record album."
" . . . The day I met
Bob Roberts was at a recording studio on Sunset
Boulevard, Hollywood, I was working with Sonny and
my arranger, trying to perfect a singing style with
my voice that would go along with the rock-a-billy
band, Sonny had hired to back me up. '
" . . .
Cancelling the record
session, we walked across the street to meet the
two Bob's, Bob Roberts and Bob Sherman at the
Sherman Publishing office, located on the 2nd or
3rd floor of the Sunset and Gower Building. "The
rest is history" said Troy, "Bob and Dick Sherman
explains as to what happen after that in their
book, "Walt's Time" . . . -- FULL
STORY CONTINUES ON PETE ALMAN'S CELEBRITY SCENE
with Troy Cory.
We Preserve The
Moment Yes90
tviNews S90
107
- Photo Images665 The Disney Oscar Winner.
Robert Sherman. 1965 Academy Awards for
Best Music Score, and Best Song for "Mary
Poppins"
/
Television
International Magazine's Person Of The
Week POWeek
432005
- /
NEWS
Convergence - 43rd Week of 2005
/
Feature
Story 4. Bylines / Troy Cory - Pete Allman
Interview
107RobertShermanBio.htm
Smart90,
s90tv, lookradio, wifi90, tvimagazine,
dv90, vratv, xingtv, Kudoads, Kudocasting,
Ddiaries, nbs100, Look Radio, Troy
Cory-Stubblefield, Josie Cory -
Television
With No Borders