I was devastated to hear that Richard Sherman passed yesterday.

If you don’t know who he is, the short version: gifted half of the songwriting team (with his brother, Robert B. Sherman, who predeceased him) behind such long-standing classics as “It’s a Small World,” the music of Mary Poppins (“Feed the Birds” was my “time for night-night!” song when I was like four), and “There’s a Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow” (Carousel of Progress). His songs were integral to my childhood, and Nathan, Charles and I were lucky enough to get to meet him—and have him sign the copy of my childhood It’s a Small World album—at a Kritzerland event back in 2014. I was so excited to meet him I could barely talk. I recall being absolutely overcome (I don’t fangirl easily but this was massive).

Charles took this photo, and I love it, because we’re holding hands there. Just a testament to what a warm, lovely person Richard was.

He was a lovely, gracious, and happy man. Joy just exploded from him everywhere he went, and he was always thrilled to hear how his life’s work had touched people.

The fan picture!!

Nathan talks with Richard.

Rest easy, Mr. Sherman. Your creative work will continue to touch lives for eternity, you’ll never be forgotten, and I hope you’re writing lots of great stuff wherever you are.

For more about his life and career, here’s a great overview:

https://thewaltdisneycompany.com/remembering-disney-legend-richard-m-sherman/

To listen to one of the last pieces he composed, “Mushka’s Lullaby”—for me, a reminder of what we’ve lost—go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEhncKYpRAg

To listen to “Feed the Birds,” go here: https://youtu.be/XHrRxQVUFN4?si=hpmFY0MX6IoubYi0

As a bonus, here’s the scene from Saving Mr. Banks in which Richard (Jason Schwartzman) is playing “Feed the Birds” and Walt Disney (Tom Hanks) overhears. This is significant, because as I understand it, “Feed the Birds” turned out to be one of Walt’s favorites, if not his ultimate favorite. https://youtu.be/3tNOSWxIWi0?si=KgDRNgt_ZO3t0ut5

And here’s Richard performing “Feed the Birds” at Walt Disney’s 100^th birthday celebration in 2001. Seeing this affords a glimpse of Richard’s personality. https://youtu.be/-xa-LZT8DXY?si=WqI5hWCOo9Wa9Hsw

This is the actual record I had as a child (that I played to death. Open up this frame and you’ll see one trashed piece of ephemera). Richard signed it and it now hangs proudly in my home. It’s very special.