Per The Guardian, "Richard Sherman, 95, a man behind famed Disney songs that delighted generations, such as 'It's a Small World (After all)' and Mary Poppins' songs 'Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,' 'Chim Chim Cher-ee' and 'Spoon full of Sugar' died on Saturday, the Walt Disney Co announced on its website….
The Walt Disney Co. announced that Sherman died on Saturday in a Los Angeles hospital due to age-related illness. 'Generations of moviegoers and theme park guests have been introduced to the world of Disney through the Sherman brothers' magnificent and timeless songs. Even today, the duo's work remains the quintessential lyrical voice of Walt Disney,' the company said in a remembrance posted on its website.
Their awards include 23 gold and platinum albums and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. They became the only Americans ever to win first prize at the Moscow film festival for Tom Sawyer in 1973 and were inducted into the Songwriters' Hall of Fame in 2005.
President George W Bush awarded them the National Medal of Arts in 2008, commended for music that 'has helped bring joy to millions.'
Most of the songs the Shermans wrote – in addition to being catchy and playful – work on multiple levels for different ages, something they learned from Disney.
'He once told us, early on in our career, 'Don't insult the kid – don't write down to the kid. And don't write just for the adult.' So we write for grandpa and the 4-year-old – and everyone in between – and all see it on a different level,' Richard Sherman said."
That is a profound piece of advice. They must have heeded that well, as their songs appealed to all ages. In addition to "Mary Poppins," they dazzled us with songs for "The Jungle Book," "Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang," "Charlotte's Web," and "Tom Sawyer" to name only a few. In fact, the songs from "The Jungle Book" are equally memorable as "Mary Poppins" since I saw both on the big screen.
Last year on the TV series "The Masked Singer," a ninety-seven year-old Dick Van Dyke stunned the judges and audience when unmasked. He had everyone in tears. He then closed his segment singing and dancing to "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious" with the audience singing along. From the Shermans' talent to our ears through people like Van Dyke. Priceless.
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