Robert Sherman, who with his brother Richard penned some of the world's best loved songs, died earlier today in London at the age of 86. He had been ill for the last few years and I guess everyone knew it was only a matter of time. He and Richard gave us many of the songs one hears at Disneyland (including "It's a Small World"), the score of Mary Poppins and other Disney movies, a number of rock 'n' roll hits (like "You're Sixteen, You're Beautiful and You're Mine" and for Annette Funicello, "Tall Paul" and "Pineapple Princess") and of course, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. What a catalog. What a legacy.
I never met this Mr. Sherman. I know his brother Richard but I never got to meet Robert, largely because he moved to England. Not long ago, the two of them were the subject of a documentary called The Boys: The Sherman Brothers' Story. It's a very good film, exploring not only their careers and their music but their relationship which was not always one of brotherly love. If you haven't seen it, Netflix it or order it here from Amazon.
Here's a minute or two of the Sherman Brothers singing one of their songs with Walt. Robert's the one on the left…