Disney songwriter Robert B. Sherman, who wrote ‘it’s a small world’, dies at 86
Robert B. Sherman started off with his brother Richard as staff songwriters for Walt Disney Studios and over 54 years created the soundtracks of many people’s lives.
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| © Steven Liebman |
Robert Sherman, best known for writing “it’s a small world” and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,” died Monday in London, his son posted on Facebook. He was 86.
His son Jeff wrote:
“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.
“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.”
In addition to writing “it’s a small world” for the 1964 New York World’s Fair ride, the Sherman brothers went on to write the songs for “Mary Poppins,” “The Jungle Book,” The Aristocats,” “Adventures of Winnie the Pooh,” “Bedknobs and Broomsticks,” and “The Tigger Movie.”
There are also other attractions in the Disney parks which contain their work. They include: Carousel of Progress (“There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow”), Journey Into Imagination (“One Little Spark”), and Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room (“The Tiki, Tiki, Tiki Room”).
Robert Sherman was born Dec. 19, 1925 in New York City. His father Al Sherman was well known as a “Tin Pan Alley” songwriter. They eventually moved to Beverly Hills. Here’s a complete obituary from the Associated Press.
