Disney Legend Richard M. Sherman's Magical Music Legacy Ends at 95

Hold onto your mouse ears, folks. It's with a heavy heart that we bring you some supercalifragilisticexpialidocious-ly sad news. Richard M. Sherman, the musical maestro behind some of Disney's most beloved tunes, has tapped his last note at the grand age of 95.

On Saturday, surrounded by the beeping symphony of medical equipment at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, Sherman bid farewell to this world, leaving behind a legacy as colorful and enduring as Mary Poppins' magical carpet bag.

Now, before you start singing "Feed the Birds" in mourning, let's remember that Sherman's melodies will continue to dance in our hearts and ear canals for generations to come. His wife, Elizabeth Gluck, and children, Gregory, Victoria, and Lynda, survive him - presumably humming "It's a Small World" as we speak.

A Jolly Holiday Send-Off

For those of you reaching for your Mickey Mouse planner, mark May 31st. That's when Sherman's nearest and dearest will gather at Hillside Memorial Park Cemetery in Culver City, California, to give this musical genius a send-off worthy of a Disney parade. Just don't expect any flying nannies or dancing penguins - this isn't a movie premiere, after all.

Speaking of movies, let's talk about Sherman's trophy cabinet. Along with his brother Robert B. Sherman, Richard amassed more awards than Scrooge McDuck has gold coins. We're talking two Oscars, three Grammy Awards, and probably a partridge in a pear tree. These Sherman brothers weren't just good; they were the Buzz and Woody of the music world - unstoppable and unforgettable.

A Chorus of Praise

As news of Sherman's passing spread faster than Aladdin on a magic carpet, tributes began pouring in from the House of Mouse and beyond.

"Richard Sherman was the embodiment of what it means to be a Disney Legend," said Disney CEO Bob Iger, probably while trying not to burst into "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious."

Meanwhile, Pixar's Pete Docter, the man who made us all ugly-cry during "Up," praised Sherman's "infectious joy for life." It seems Sherman's optimism was more contagious than Sleeping Beauty's sleeping curse.

Film historian Leonard Maltin chimed in too, noting that the Sherman brothers' music had "an upbeat outlook that spilled over into Richard's life." In other words, Sherman was the human equivalent of "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" - always sunny, even on rainy days.

A Symphony of Success

Now, for those of you who've been living under Pride Rock, let's recap Sherman's greatest hits. We're talking earworms like "Mary Poppins," "The Jungle Book," and "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang." Yes, that last one isn't Disney, but it's so catchy we'll give it a pass.

In 2005, the Sherman brothers were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. It's like the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but with fewer guitar smashes and more rhyming couplets. And in 1990, they were named Disney Legends, which is basically like being knighted by Mickey Mouse himself.

The Final Verse

As we lower the flags at half-mast on Space Mountain, let's remember Richard M. Sherman not with sadness, but with a song in our hearts. Whether you're belting out "Let's Go Fly a Kite" or humming "It's a Small World" (much to the annoyance of your coworkers), know that somewhere, Sherman is probably conducting a choir of animated animals in the great beyond.

So here's to you, Richard Sherman. May your melodies continue to make our worlds go round, our kites soar high, and our spoons full of sugar eternally sweet. In the words of your own creation: "There's a great big beautiful tomorrow, shining at the end of every day." And thanks to you, that tomorrow will always be filled with music.