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Andrew Lloyd Webber

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Andrew Lloyd Webber
Born
Andrew Lloyd Webber

(1948-03-22) March 22, 1948 (age 78)
Westminster Hospital, London, England
Occupation(s)Composer, theatrical producer
Years active1965–present
Known forMusical theatre compositions including Cats, The Phantom of the Opera, Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Andrew Lloyd Webber, Baron Lloyd-Webber (born 22 March 1948) is a distinguished English composer and theatrical producer specializing in musical theatre. His body of work includes 21 musicals, a song cycle, variations, two film scores, and a Latin Requiem Mass. Numerous productions he created have enjoyed runs exceeding ten years both in London's West End and on Broadway.

Among his most acclaimed compositions are the songs "Memory" from Cats, "The Music of the Night" and "All I Ask of You" from The Phantom of the Opera, "I Don't Know How to Love Him" from Jesus Christ Superstar, "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" from Evita, and "Any Dream Will Do" from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. In 2001, The New York Times described him as "the most commercially successful composer in history". By 2008, The Daily Telegraph listed him as the fifth-most influential figure in British cultural life.

Lloyd Webber's honors include a knighthood awarded in 1992, a life peerage recognizing his contributions to the arts, seven Tony Awards, seven Laurence Olivier Awards, three Grammy Awards including the Grammy Legend Award, an Academy Award, 14 Ivor Novello Awards, a Golden Globe, a Brit Award, the Kennedy Center Honors in 2006, and two Classic Brit Awards for Outstanding Contribution to Music and Musical Theatre and Education. Following the Primetime Emmy win for Outstanding Variety Special (Live) by Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert in 2018, he became the thirteenth individual to achieve EGOT status. Additionally, he is commemorated with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, and recognized as a fellow of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors.

His enterprise, the Really Useful Group, ranks among London's foremost theatre operators and manages licensing for productions throughout the UK, including national tours. Lloyd Webber holds the presidency of Arts Educational Schools London and actively supports charities such as the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Nordoff Robbins music therapy charity, Prostate Cancer UK, and War Child. In 1992, he established the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation to promote arts, culture, and heritage across the United Kingdom.

Early life

Born on 22 March 1948 at Westminster Hospital in London, Lloyd Webber is the elder son of composer and organist William Lloyd Webber (1914–1982) and musician Jean Hermione Johnstone (1921–1993), who played violin and piano. His younger sibling Julian Lloyd Webber is an acclaimed solo cellist. On the BBC programme Who Do You Think You Are?, he traced his maternal lineage back to Major General Sir Peregrine Maitland, who participated in the Battle of Waterloo.

Lloyd Webber demonstrated an early aptitude for composition, having written a suite consisting of six pieces by age nine. Together with his brother Julian and their aunt Viola, he produced performances using a toy theatre he constructed himself. In 1963, his father arranged for part-time studies at the Eric Gilder School of Music while he developed a musical entitled Westonia! about Genghis Khan. Between 1960 and 1965, he attended Westminster School as a Queen's Scholar. Influenced by rock and pop music of the 1960s, he identified The Rolling Stones' "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" as that decade’s finest record and praised Dusty Springfield's "Son of a Preacher Man" as an exemplar of flawless pop songwriting. After a brief period studying history at Magdalen College, Oxford, he departed in winter 1965 to enroll at London's Royal College of Music, dedicating himself to musical theatre studies.

Early years

In 1965, a 17-year-old Andrew Lloyd Webber encountered 20-year-old Tim Rice, an aspiring writer of pop songs. Their initial joint effort was The Likes of Us, a musical inspired by Oliver! and based on the life of Thomas John Barnardo. Although they recorded a demo in 1966, it failed to attract financial support. Despite being composed in 1965, The Likes of Us did not receive a public performance until 2005 during Lloyd Webber's Sydmonton Festival, with amateur performance rights becoming available in 2008. Its style echoed the Broadway musicals of the 1940s and 1950s, contrasting with Lloyd Webber's later fully through-composed works.

In 1967, Alan Doggett, a family acquaintance and music instructor, commissioned Lloyd Webber and Rice to create a "pop cantata" for his school choir. This project resulted in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, a retelling of the biblical story of Joseph that incorporated diverse pop genres such as Elvis-style rock'n'roll and Calypso. Initially presented as a brief cantata that gained attention after its second performance, it was gradually expanded into a full-length stage production by 1972 and premiered in the West End in 1973 following the success of Jesus Christ Superstar.

In 1969, Rice and Lloyd Webber composed "Try It and See" for the Eurovision Song Contest, but it was rejected. The piece was later adapted into "King Herod's Song" for their third musical, Jesus Christ Superstar (1970). This work debuted on Broadway in 1971 and had earned over worldwide revenue by 1980. Its London run lasted more than eight years (1972–1980), setting the record for the longest-running West End musical until Cats surpassed it in 1989.

Their next intended project was a musical comedy inspired by P. G. Wodehouse's Jeeves and Wooster series. However, Tim Rice withdrew over concerns about adapting the novels, leading Lloyd Webber to collaborate with Alan Ayckbourn instead. The resulting show, Jeeves, closed after only 38 performances in the West End in 1975. They later revisited this material with a revised and more successful version entitled By Jeeves (1996).

Mid-1970s

Lloyd Webber reunited with Tim Rice to develop Evita (1978), a musical centered on Eva Perón’s life. Similar to Jesus Christ Superstar, it was initially released as a concept album (1976) featuring Julie Covington. The single "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" achieved significant popularity, and the stage production opened at London's Prince Edward Theatre starring Elaine Paige under Harold Prince’s direction. The show enjoyed considerable success, running for nearly eight years.

In 1979, Evita transferred to Broadway with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin leading the cast. It won seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, elevating both stars’ profiles and maintaining a run close to four years. Shortly afterward, Rice and Lloyd Webber ended their regular partnership but collaborated occasionally thereafter.

In 1978, Lloyd Webber teamed up with his cellist brother Julian on Variations, an album inspired by Paganini’s 24th Caprice; it reached number two on the UK pop charts. The main theme became the enduring signature tune for ITV’s South Bank Show. That same year, Lloyd Webber also composed themes for the documentary series Whicker's World and created the instrumental piece "Argentine Melody" for the BBC’s coverage of the 1978 FIFA World Cup held in Argentina.

1980s

Lloyd Webber was honored on This Is Your Life twice, first in 1980 and again in 1994, underscoring his significant influence within British show business.

Drawing inspiration from T. S. Eliot’s poetry, Lloyd Webber composed Cats in 1981, which emerged as a monumental commercial triumph. The production enjoyed a 21-year run in London with 8,949 performances and remained on Broadway for 18 years, until it was eventually overtaken by his own The Phantom of the Opera. Elaine Paige originated the role of Grizabella and achieved a UK Top 10 hit with the song "Memory".

Despite receiving mixed critiques, Starlight Express (1984) was commercially successful, tallying 7,409 performances in London and under two years on Broadway. It has toured internationally and has been continuously staged since 1988 in a specially designed theatre in Bochum, Germany, where it holds the Guinness World Record for the highest attendance to a musical at a single venue.

In 1985, Lloyd Webber composed a Requiem Mass as a tribute to his late father, debuting at St. Thomas Church in New York. The composition earned a Grammy Award for best classical composition in 1986; its "Pie Jesu" single attained silver status in the UK. Due to its complex orchestration, live renditions remain infrequent.

Commissioned by Prince Edward in 1986, Lloyd Webber and Rice created the brief musical Cricket for Queen Elizabeth II’s 60th birthday celebration at Windsor Castle. Several melodies from this work were later incorporated into Aspects of Love and Sunset Boulevard.

Lloyd Webber unveiled The Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's Theatre in London, adapting Gaston Leroux’s novel. He crafted the lead role specifically for then-wife Sarah Brightman. Directed by Harold Prince with lyrics by Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe, it became a blockbuster hit. The show continues to run in the West End and held Broadway’s longest-running show record until its closure in April 2023 after an unprecedented 13,981 performances—the highest number in Broadway history.

Debuting in 1989, Aspects of Love, featuring lyrics by Don Black and Charles Hart and direction by Trevor Nunn, ran for four years in London but lasted less than one year on Broadway before touring the UK. The production is renowned for Michael Ball’s signature song "Love Changes Everything," which reached number two on the UK Singles Chart and remained there for 14 weeks.

1990s

In 1992, Lloyd Webber composed "Amigos Para Siempre — Friends for Life" to commemorate the 1992 Summer Olympics held in Barcelona, performed by Sarah Brightman alongside José Carreras.

After acquiring rights from Paramount Pictures, Lloyd Webber developed a stage adaptation of Sunset Boulevard, collaborating with Christopher Hampton and Don Black. The production premiered at London’s Adelphi Theatre in July 1993 and ran for 1,529 performances. Its Broadway debut in 1994 set a record for advance ticket sales and garnered seven Tony Awards; however, it did not recover its $13 million production costs before closing in 1997.

From 1995 through 2000, Lloyd Webber contributed a column titled Matters of Taste to The Daily Telegraph, providing reviews of restaurants and hotels.

In 1998, he released a filmed adaptation of Cats, directed by David Mallet with choreography by Gillian Lynne, featuring original cast members including Ken Page and Elaine Paige.

That year also saw the premiere of Whistle Down the Wind, with lyrics by Jim Steinman. Following initial dissatisfaction with casting and staging, it was reworked under Gale Edwards’ direction for its London run. The production included Boyzone’s chart-topping UK single "No Matter What."

During the same decade, Lloyd Webber’s The Beautiful Game opened at London’s Cambridge Theatre to moderate success but did not transfer to Broadway. It was later revised as The Boys in the Photograph, which premiered at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts in April 2008.

2000s

By 2001, The New York Times had acclaimed Lloyd Webber as "the most commercially successful composer in history". In 2002, he brought Bombay Dreams to the London stage, featuring music composed by A.R. Rahman and lyrics penned by Don Black; the show enjoyed a two-year run at the Apollo Victoria Theatre. A subsequent Broadway adaptation was mounted but only lasted for 284 performances. His 2004 London production of The Woman in White ran for 19 months, accumulating 500 performances. The Broadway version premiered in 2005 but closed within three months, affected by mixed critical reception and health challenges faced by the lead actor.

In 2006, Lloyd Webber produced a revival of The Sound of Music, casting an unknown actress discovered through the BBC reality series How Do You Solve a Problem like Maria?, where he served as a judge. Connie Fisher secured the lead role. A planned project titled The Master and Margarita was ultimately shelved in 2007.

Lloyd Webber was honored with the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors in September 2006, joining notable figures such as Dolly Parton and Steven Spielberg for his significant contributions to American performing arts. Early in 2007, he appeared as a guest judge on the reality competition Grease: You're the One that I Want!.

From April to June 2007, he judged BBC One’s talent search Any Dream Will Do!, aimed at finding the lead for his revival of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. Lee Mead emerged victorious, with viewer participation raising over £500,000 for BBC's Children in Need charity.

In 2007, a mishap occurred when Lloyd Webber’s cat destroyed the score for The Phantom of Manhattan, intended as a sequel to The Phantom of the Opera. On 1 July that year, he showcased selections from his musicals during the Concert for Diana held at Wembley Stadium. Later in 2007, BBC Radio 2 broadcasted a concert featuring songs from his works.

Returning as a judge in April 2008 on BBC's I'd Do Anything, Lloyd Webber helped select an actress to portray Nancy in the West End production of Oliver!. Jodie Prenger won despite Lloyd Webber favoring another contestant; additionally, three young actors were cast as Oliver. That same month, he mentored finalists on the U.S. program American Idol, guiding them through performances of his compositions.

For the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest, Lloyd Webber oversaw the UK's entry by composing "It's My Time" with Diane Warren. Jade Ewen won the national selection and achieved fifth place at Eurovision held in Moscow, with Lloyd Webber accompanying her on piano.

On 8 October 2009, he premiered Love Never Dies, a sequel to Phantom of the Opera, at Her Majesty's Theatre—the venue where the original has been staged since 1986. Sierra Boggess and Ramin Karimloo starred as Christine Daaé and the Phantom respectively.

2010s

After the conclusion of Love Never Dies, Lloyd Webber introduced the BBC One talent show Over the Rainbow to discover a fresh musical theatre star. The winner, Danielle Hope, was cast as Dorothy Gale in his stage rendition of The Wizard of Oz, which included newly composed songs co-written with lyricist Tim Rice.

The Wizard of Oz premiered at The Palladium Theatre on 1 March 2011, featuring Hope alongside Michael Crawford. In 2012, Lloyd Webber developed ITV’s prime-time series Superstar, where viewers selected the lead for a nationwide arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar. The tour, commencing in September 2012, starred comedian Tim Minchin as Judas, former Spice Girl Melanie C as Mary Magdalene, and DJ Chris Moyles portraying Herod Antipas.

In 2013, Lloyd Webber collaborated again with Christopher Hampton and lyricist Don Black on Stephen Ward the Musical. For his 2015 venture adapting the film School of Rock into a musical, auditions focused on children aged nine to fifteen, conducted in partnership with the School of Rock music education program.

April 2016 saw the English National Opera revive Sunset Boulevard at the London Coliseum, with Glenn Close returning to her role as Norma Desmond. This acclaimed limited engagement transferred to Broadway’s Palace Theatre in February 2017. With four musicals running concurrently on Broadway, Lloyd Webber became the first composer since 1953 to achieve this feat—a distinction previously held by Rodgers and Hammerstein.

Lloyd Webber released his memoir, Unmasked, in 2018. Later that year, on 9 September, he, Tim Rice, and John Legend earned an Emmy for Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert, joining the elite group of EGOT recipients. For the 2019 film adaptation of Cats, he co-wrote "Beautiful Ghosts" with Taylor Swift; the production was overseen by Greg Wells. Nonetheless, in a 2020 interview, Lloyd Webber expressed strong criticism of the film’s divergence from the original stage work, calling it "ridiculous" and noting director Tom Hooper’s exclusion of original collaborators. He also mentioned that viewing the film motivated him to get a dog.

2020s

Lloyd Webber’s reimagined version of Cinderella debuted at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London’s West End in 2021 after delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Based on a script by Emerald Fennell, Lloyd Webber commended her contribution as "truly exciting and original," highlighting a significant creative partnership. In July 2021, he attracted media attention by declaring he was "prepared to be arrested" to ensure Cinderella could open to full audiences despite rising COVID-19 cases and official government guidance. A 2021 article in Variety observed that at age 73, Lloyd Webber appeared creatively revitalized; both School of Rock and Cinderella received some of the most favorable reviews of his career, noted for their fresh lightness and wit.

In 2022, Lloyd Webber performed alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda during the BBC Platinum Jubilee Concert celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II. The following year, he was one of twelve composers commissioned to create new compositions for the coronation of Charles III and Camilla, contributing the anthem "Make a Joyful Noise," which was performed during Queen Camilla's enthronement ceremony.

Looking ahead to 2024, Lloyd Webber announced plans for a musical adaptation of the 2006 film The Illusionist, featuring lyrics by Bruno Major, a book by Chris Terrio, direction by Jamie Lloyd, and production by Michael Harrison—following recent revivals of Sunset Boulevard. In 2025, he will collaborate once more with Tim Rice to compose original songs for Sherlock Holmes and The 12 Days of Christmas, a comedic whodunit penned by Humphrey Ker and David Reed, set to premiere at the Birmingham Rep during the Christmas season.

Allegations of Plagiarism

Andrew Lloyd Webber has encountered multiple plagiarism allegations throughout his career. Dutch composer Louis Andriessen openly criticized him, asserting that Lloyd Webber "has yet to compose a single original note." His biographer, John Snelson, acknowledged resemblances between Mendelssohn's Violin Concerto in E minor and the Jesus Christ Superstar track "I Don't Know How to Love Him", but maintained that Lloyd Webber introduced distinctive rhythmic and harmonic features that infused the piece with fresh dramatic intensity.

Another prominent dispute concerned the 1971 Pink Floyd album Meddle. The initial organ riff from "The Phantom of the Opera" bears a strong likeness to the riff in Pink Floyd's "Echoes". Roger Waters, bassist and co-lead vocalist for Pink Floyd, admitted the similarity and described it as "probably actionable," although he ultimately opted against pursuing legal proceedings.

In 1987, the estate of Puccini filed a lawsuit against Lloyd Webber, citing parallels between "The Music of the Night" and a melody from Giacomo Puccini's opera La fanciulla del West. The matter was resolved privately through an out-of-court settlement. Furthermore, songwriter Ray Repp accused Lloyd Webber of appropriating a tune from his composition "Till You," but the court ruled in favor of Lloyd Webber.

Private Life

Lloyd Webber has been married three times. His first marriage was to Sarah Hugill on 24 July 1971; they divorced in November 1983. Together, they had two children:

On 22 March 1984, he wed English soprano Sarah Brightman in Hampshire. Brightman played lead roles in several of his musicals, including The Phantom of the Opera. Their marriage ended in January 1990, yet they have maintained a close relationship and continued professional collaborations.

His third marriage was to Madeleine Gurdon on 9 February 1991. The couple has three children together.

In 1992, Lloyd Webber and Gurdon established Watership Down Stud and expanded their equestrian operations by acquiring Kiltinan Castle Stud in County Tipperary, Ireland, in 1996. They were honored with invitations to participate in the King's procession at Royal Ascot 2023.

During a 1971 interview, Lloyd Webber described himself as agnostic but recognized Jesus as an important historical figure.

He is a devoted supporter of London football club Leyton Orient F.C., a passion shared by his younger brother Julian Lloyd Webber.

In late 2009, Lloyd Webber underwent surgery for early-stage prostate cancer and was declared cancer-free by January 2010 following complete removal of the prostate.

In 2023, his son Nicholas passed away at age 43 after an 18-month fight with gastric cancer.

Lloyd Webber owns a residence in Eaton Square, Belgravia, London; in 2024, he disclosed having it blessed by a priest to address an alleged "poltergeist" haunting.

Financial Status

According to the Sunday Times Rich List 2006, he was ranked as Britain's 87th wealthiest individual with an estimated net worth of £700 million, which rose to £750 million in 2007. However, his ranking dropped to 101st in 2008. By 2019, he had become the UK's wealthiest musician, surpassing Paul McCartney, with assets valued at £820 million ($1.074 billion). He resides at Sydmonton Court, Hampshire, and owns extensive portions of nearby Watership Down.

Lloyd Webber is also an avid art collector, specializing in Victorian painting. His collection was showcased at the Royal Academy in 2003 under the exhibition Pre-Raphaelite and Other Masters – The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection. In 2006, he planned to sell Picasso's Portrait of Angel Fernández de Soto to benefit the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation but retracted after claims surfaced regarding a forced sale during Nazi Germany. An out-of-court agreement allowed the foundation to retain possession. The painting was ultimately auctioned on 23 June 2010 for £34.7 million to an undisclosed buyer.

Charitable Endeavours

Andrew Lloyd Webber is actively involved with numerous charitable organizations, such as the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Nordoff Robbins, Prostate Cancer UK, and War Child. In 1992, he founded the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation with the goal of advancing arts, culture, and heritage throughout the United Kingdom.

In 2013, he introduced the Andrew Lloyd Webber Programme aimed at supporting the Music in Secondary Schools Trust (MiSST). This initiative facilitates music education by enabling students in UK schools to learn instruments within their academic curriculum. He highlighted that music education contributes to personal growth beyond just musical skills.

In 2014, Lloyd Webber created a Cats-inspired Paddington Bear statue displayed in London's Chinatown. This piece was part of a collection auctioned to raise funds for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).

Political Involvement

In 1997, Lloyd Webber was appointed a life peer as Baron Lloyd-Webber, of Sydmonton, Hampshire, representing the Conservative Party. By 2015, his voting record in the House of Lords showed participation in only 33 votes. Politically aligned with the Conservatives, he permitted his song "Take That Look Off Your Face" to be used in a party campaign video ahead of the 2005 general election. He also endorsed a letter in 2014 opposing Scottish independence.

October 2015 saw Lloyd Webber drawing controversy when he flew in on his private jet to cast a vote supporting government proposals to reduce tax credits, despite criticism about his sparse voting record. He stepped down from the House of Lords in October 2017, citing a demanding schedule and impending Brexit-related legislation as reasons.

By July 2021, during an appearance on Good Morning Britain, he publicly announced his decision to cease voting for the Conservative Party, criticizing their management of the COVID-19 crisis and insufficient backing for the arts sector during that time.

Distinctions and Recognitions

Lloyd Webber received a knighthood for his contributions to the arts during the Queen's 1992 Birthday Honours. He was elevated to a life peerage in the 1997 New Year Honours, formally becoming Baron Lloyd-Webber of Sydmonton in Hampshire on 18 February 1997. Known as "The Lord Lloyd-Webber," he served as a Conservative member in the House of Lords until his retirement on 17 October 2017.

On St George's Day 2024, he was honored with appointment as a Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter (KG).

Theatrical Works

Note: Unless otherwise specified, music composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Musicals

Plays

Film adaptations

Numerous musicals by Lloyd Webber have been transformed into films, including: Jesus Christ Superstar (1973), directed by Norman Jewison; Evita (1996), under the direction of Alan Parker; The Phantom of the Opera (2004), helmed by Joel Schumacher and co-produced by Lloyd Webber; and Cats (2019), directed by Tom Hooper with Lloyd Webber serving as executive producer. Television adaptations such as Cats (1998), Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1999), Jesus Christ Superstar (2000), and By Jeeves (2001) have been broadcast on BBC and released on DVD.

In 2011, a special 25th-anniversary staging of The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall was shown live in cinemas worldwide, followed by DVD and Blu-ray distribution. Likewise, a revised version of Love Never Dies, filmed in Melbourne, had a limited theatrical run in North America in 2012 to assess its potential for Broadway.

Other works

  • Gumshoe (1971) – Composed film score.
  • The Odessa File (1974) – Composed film score.
  • Variations (1978) – A collection of musical variations based on Paganini's Caprice in A minor, created for his brother Julian. The project featured fifteen rock musicians, including guitarist Gary Moore and pianist Rod Argent, achieving number 2 on the UK album chart. This piece was later combined with Tell Me on a Sunday to produce the show Song and Dance, with its fifth variation inspiring the song Unexpected Song. The principal theme also serves as the opening music for The South Bank Show.
  • Requiem (1985) – A classical choral work dedicated to his father, William Lloyd Webber.
  • Watership Down (1999) – Collaborated with Mike Batt on "Fields of Sun" for this animated series adaptation; although the song was not included in the show or soundtrack, Lloyd Webber received credit.

Discography

Musicals and show recordings
Additional albums
  • Variations (1978)
  • Variations with London Philharmonic Orchestra (1986)
  • Symphonic Suites (2021)

See also

Further reading

  • Pre-Raphaelite and Other Masters: The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection – Royal Academy of Arts, London, 2003
  • Cats on a Chandelier – Coveney, M (1999), Hutchinson, London
  • Oh What a Circus – Rice, Tim (1999), Hodder & Stoughton, London
  • Andrew Lloyd Webber – Snelson, John (2004), Yale University Press, New Haven CT
  • Andrew Lloyd Webber: His Life and Works – Walsh, Michael (1989; revised 1997), Abrams, New York

External links

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