Richard Sherman and his brother Robert are Disney Legends who created some of Disney’s most beloved songs, from those in Mary Poppins and The Jungle Book to It’s A Small World and There Is A Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow. Unfortunately Robert passed away in 2010. However, Richard continues to bring the magic of Disney to life, most recently writing A Kiss Goodnight - a song that plays every night at Disneyland to celebrate the Park´s 60th Anniversary.
During the summer of 2014, I had the incredible opportunity to to meet Richard Sherman in London while he was recording with an American choir group for a charity.
When I first arrived at Abbey Road, I met with the choir group, which included a wide range of ages from 7 to 18 year olds. I gave a short introduction about myself and the group appeared to be very interested. Afterwards, I headed to the recording studio filled with excitement and anxiety. Could I really be about to meet Richard Sherman?
As I entered a room directly behind the recording studio, I was silent while a recording session was taking place. Through a glass window in the room, I saw the back of several heads looking out at the orchestra. Richard was sitting at the central desk. From that moment, I was simply grateful to have had the opportunity to see a Sherman brother hard at work in a world famous recording studio.
Once the recording session was over, I was invited into the room where Richard sat. He stood up and started to walk towards me with his welcoming smile. He shook my hand and motioned we go to the room I first entered in where the lighting was better.
I first explained what an honor it was to meet him. He humbly replied, “Thank you, it is very nice to meet you.” As he signed a Mary Poppins CD cover for Sofia and myself, he spoke about Mary Poppins with appreciation and affection, clearly with many happy memories from working on it. Richard asked how long Sofia and I had been married and when I told him for only a few weeks, he seemed overjoyed for us and gave us his congratulations, expressing what a lovely name ‘Sofia’ is.
Before I left, I asked Richard what it was like to work with Walt Disney and what type of man he was. Richard looked at me with his kind eyes and said, “Walt was a wonderful man to work for.” He shared that the Walt in Saving Mr. Banks, performed by Tom Hanks, is a very true representation of what he was like. Richard then stated Walt was a very kind man but also a very good businessman who knew what he wanted.
Lastly, Richard softly and emotionally said that he missed Walt.
I shared that I have always wanted to be a part of Disney due to the values and history the company was built on, thanks to Walt and of course thanks to people like the Sherman brothers.
I have been very fortunate and thankful to have had many magical experiences, but this summers day in London will forever be the one that stands out as the most special. As Richard spoke to me about Walt, I felt very emotional and so thankful to speak with someone who had worked directly, and so closely, with Walt Disney himself.
If you would like to learn more about the Sherman Brothers, I highly recommend a documentary film called, The Boys, made by Greg and Jeffrey Sherman, Richard´s sons. It is a story full of joy but also includes surprising sadness.
Richard very kindly agreed to have a photo with me.
The Sherman Brothers with Walt Disney.
Richard and Robert Sherman.
The Sherman Brothers working on Mary Poppins.
Richard and Robert Sherman with Walt Disney.
