Disney songwriter Sherman dies aged 86

His name may not be instantly familiar but there can be no doubt that his songs are.

In a 50-year career in partnership with his brother Richard, Robert Sherman composed over 150 songs for musicals such as Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. The brothers enjoyed a long association with Disney which gave us some of the most popular children’s films ever made – such as The Jungle Book.

Sons of a songwriter based on America’s famous Tin Pan Alley, the brothers only began writing themselves when challenged by their father. Before long they had won a pair of Academy Awards for their work on Disney’s Mary Poppins.

Later in their career, some of their most famous films were turned into hit shows in the West End and on Broadway.

In 2008, the Sherman Brothers received the National Medal of Arts, the highest honour conferred upon artists by the US government.

But now the partnership has come to an end. Robert Sherman has died in London aged 86. His death was announced on Facebook by his son Jeffrey Sherman, who referenced one of his father’s most famous songs, familiar to all those who have visited Disney theme parks.

As his son wrote: “Forever his songs and his genius will bring hope, joy and love to this small, small world.”