Andrew Lloyd Webber facts for kids

Quick facts for kids The Right Honourable The Lord Lloyd-Webber KG
Lloyd Webber in 2009
Born	Andrew Lloyd Webber (1948-03-22) 22 March 1948 (age 77) London, England
Alma mater	Royal College of Music
Occupation	Composer
Years active	1965–present
Organization	Really Useful Group Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation
Notable work	Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1968) Jesus Christ Superstar (1970) Evita (1976) Cats (1981) Starlight Express (1984) The Phantom of the Opera (1986) Sunset Boulevard (1993) School of Rock (2015)
Spouse(s)	Sarah Hugill ​ ​ (m. 1971; div. 1983)​ Sarah Brightman ​ ​ (m. 1984; div. 1990)​ Madeleine Gurdon ​ (m. 1991)​
Children	5, including Imogen and Nick
Parent(s)	William Lloyd Webber (father)
Relatives	Julian Lloyd Webber (brother)
Awards	Full list
Member of the House of Lords Lord Temporal
In office 25 February 1997 – 17 October 2017 Life peerage

Andrew Lloyd Webber, born on March 22, 1948, is a very famous English composer. He is known for creating many popular musicals. Some of his shows have played for over ten years in London's West End and on Broadway in New York. He has written 21 musicals, film music, and even a special church music piece.

Many of Lloyd Webber's songs became hits on their own. These include "Memory" from Cats and "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" from Evita. In 2001, The New York Times called him "the most commercially successful composer in history." This means his music has made a lot of money and reached many people.

Lloyd Webber has won many awards for his work. These include six Tony Awards, seven Olivier Awards, and three Grammys. He also won an Academy Award for his music. In 2018, he became one of the few people to win an Oscar, an Emmy, a Grammy, and a Tony. This special achievement is called an EGOT. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and is recognized in the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

His company, Really Useful Group, runs many theatres in London. Lloyd Webber also supports many charities. These include the Elton John AIDS Foundation and War Child. In 1992, he started the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation. This foundation helps support arts and culture in the UK.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's Journey in Music

His Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Andrew Lloyd Webber was born in London on March 22, 1948. His father, William Lloyd Webber, was a composer and organist. His mother, Jean Hermione Johnstone, was a violinist and pianist. His younger brother, Julian Lloyd Webber, became a famous cellist.

Lloyd Webber studied at the Royal College of Music in London, just like his father.

Andrew started writing music when he was very young. He wrote a suite of six pieces at age nine. He also put on shows with his brother and aunt using a toy theatre. His aunt, an actress, often took him to see plays. This helped him discover the world of theatre. He studied at the Royal College of Music in London. He left Magdalen College, Oxford to follow his passion for musical theatre.

Starting His Career in Musicals

In 1965, when Andrew was 17, he met Tim Rice, a pop-song writer. Their first musical together was The Likes of Us. It was based on the true story of Thomas John Barnardo. They made a demo tape, but couldn't find anyone to support the show. This musical was not performed publicly until 2005.

In 1967, a family friend asked Lloyd Webber and Rice to write a piece for a school choir. This led to Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. It tells the Bible story of Joseph in a fun way. The show used different music styles like rock'n'roll and calypso. Joseph started as a short piece but grew into a full musical. It became very popular, especially after the success of Jesus Christ Superstar.

Jesus Christ Superstar, starring Paul Nicholas, in London in 1972.

In 1970, Rice and Lloyd Webber created Jesus Christ Superstar. This musical became a huge hit. It ran for over eight years in London. It was the longest-running West End musical until Cats broke its record. After this success, Lloyd Webber tried a musical called Jeeves with Alan Ayckbourn. It was not very successful at first, but they later reworked it into By Jeeves in 1996.

Mid-1970s Success and New Directions

Lloyd Webber worked with Tim Rice again on Evita (1978). This musical tells the story of Eva Perón. Like Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita was first released as an album. The song "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" became a big hit. The musical then opened in London and was very successful. It ran for almost eight years.

Evita at the Adelphi Theatre in London. Lloyd Webber later bought this theatre.

Evita also moved to Broadway in 1979. It won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. After Evita, Rice and Lloyd Webber mostly worked on separate projects. In 1978, Lloyd Webber also created Variations with his brother Julian. This music piece was based on a famous tune by Paganini. It even reached number two on the UK pop album chart.

The 1980s: Cats, Phantom, and More

Cats at the London Palladium.

In 1981, Lloyd Webber created Cats. For this musical, he used poems by T. S. Eliot. Cats became the longest-running musical in London. It played for 21 years and almost 9,000 performances. On Broadway, Cats ran for 18 years. The song "Memory" from Cats became a Top 10 hit.

Starlight Express (1984) was another big hit. It featured actors on roller skates playing trains. It ran for many years in London. A special theatre was built in Bochum, Germany, where Starlight Express has been running since 1988.

Starlight Express has been running in Bochum, Germany, since 1988.

In 1985, Lloyd Webber wrote a special piece of church music called Requiem Mass. He dedicated it to his father, who had passed away. This work won him a Grammy Award in 1986.

The Phantom of the Opera at the Princess of Wales Theatre, Toronto.

In 1986, Lloyd Webber premiered The Phantom of the Opera. This musical was inspired by a novel by Gaston Leroux. He wrote the main female role, Christine, for his wife at the time, Sarah Brightman. Phantom became a massive success. In 2006, it became the longest-running show on Broadway, beating Cats. It ran for over 13,900 performances on Broadway, making it the longest-running show in Broadway history. It is also the second longest-running musical in London's West End.

Aspects of Love followed in 1989. It ran for four years in London. The song "Love Changes Everything" from this musical became a signature song for singer Michael Ball.

The 1990s: New Musicals and Film

Lloyd Webber received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1993.

In 1992, Lloyd Webber wrote "Amigos Para Siempre" for the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. It was sung by Sarah Brightman and José Carreras.

He then created Sunset Boulevard (1993). This musical was based on a famous 1950 film. It opened in London and was very successful. In 1994, Sunset Boulevard also became a hit on Broadway. It won seven Tony Awards.

In 1998, a film version of Cats was released. It was filmed at the Adelphi Theatre in London. Later that year, Whistle Down the Wind debuted. This musical included the hit song "No Matter What" by the band Boyzone. His musical The Beautiful Game opened in London in 2000. It was later updated as The Boys in the Photograph.

The 2000s: Producing and TV Shows

In the 2000s, Lloyd Webber also became a producer. He brought the musical Bombay Dreams to London in 2002. He also produced The Woman in White in 2004.

In 2006, he produced a new version of The Sound of Music. He used a TV reality show, How Do You Solve a Problem like Maria?, to find the main actress. He was a judge on the show. This was a new way to cast a musical.

U.S. President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush with the Kennedy Center honorees in 2006. Andrew Lloyd Webber is second from left.

In 2006, Lloyd Webber received the Kennedy Center Honors. This award recognizes people who have made great contributions to American performing arts. He also appeared as a guest judge on the TV show Grease: You're the One that I Want! in 2007.

He continued to use TV shows to find talent. In 2007, Any Dream Will Do! found a new Joseph for his musical. In 2008, I'd Do Anything searched for an actress to play Nancy in Oliver!.

Lloyd Webber and the UK's 2009 Eurovision entrant Jade Ewen

Lloyd Webber and Russian President Vladimir Putin prior to the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow

In 2009, Lloyd Webber helped choose the UK's song for the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest. He wrote the song "It's My Time" with Diane Warren. Singer Jade Ewen performed it, and Lloyd Webber played the piano during the show. The UK finished fifth in the contest. Later that year, he announced his new musical, Love Never Dies. This was a sequel to The Phantom of the Opera.

The 2010s: New Shows and Milestones

After Love Never Dies, Lloyd Webber again used a TV show, Over the Rainbow. This show found the lead actress, Danielle Hope, for his new production of The Wizard of Oz. He wrote new songs for this show with Tim Rice. The Wizard of Oz opened in London in 2011.

The Palace Theatre on Broadway. In 2017, Sunset Boulevard played here.

In 2012, he hosted Superstar. This show helped find the lead actor for an arena tour of Jesus Christ Superstar. In 2015, he adapted the film School of Rock into a musical. This show involved auditions for talented young musicians.

In 2017, Lloyd Webber achieved a special milestone. He became the first composer since 1953 to have four musicals running on Broadway at the same time. His memoir, Unmasked, was published in 2018. In 2019, he wrote the song "Beautiful Ghosts" with Taylor Swift for the film version of Cats.

The 2020s: Recent Works and Honours

Cinderella at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in London in July 2021.

Lloyd Webber's new version of Cinderella opened in London in 2021. The opening was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He worked with writer Emerald Fennell on this musical. Critics praised this show for being fresh and witty.

In 2022, Lloyd Webber performed at the Queen Elizabeth II's Platinum Jubilee Concert. He appeared with Lin-Manuel Miranda. In 2023, he was one of twelve composers asked to write a new piece for the coronation of King Charles III. His anthem, "Make a Joyful Noise", was performed during the ceremony.

Accusations of Plagiarism

Andrew Lloyd Webber has faced some accusations that parts of his music sound like other songs. For example, some people have noted similarities between a part of Jesus Christ Superstar and a piece by Felix Mendelssohn. His biographer, John Snelson, said that while the opening might be similar, Lloyd Webber added his own dramatic and musical touches.

Another accusation involved the song "The Phantom of the Opera". Some listeners noticed its opening organ riff sounded like a part of the Pink Floyd song "Echoes". Pink Floyd's bassist, Roger Waters, even mentioned it.

In 1987, the family of composer Giacomo Puccini sued Lloyd Webber. They claimed his song "The Music of the Night" sounded like a melody from Puccini's opera La fanciulla del West. The case was settled outside of court, so the details were not made public.

Personal Life

Andrew Lloyd Webber has been married three times. He has five children. His son, Nicholas, sadly passed away in 2023 at age 43.

Lloyd Webber (middle) with his then-wife Sarah Brightman (right) in 1985. He wrote the role of Christine in The Phantom of the Opera for her.

He is a big fan of the London football club Leyton Orient F.C.. In late 2009, he had surgery for early-stage prostate cancer. He later announced he was cancer-free.

Lloyd Webber is also an art collector. He loves Victorian paintings. In 2006, he planned to sell a painting by Pablo Picasso to help his foundation. However, he withdrew it from auction after a claim that its previous owner was forced to sell it during Nazi Germany. The painting was later sold in 2010 for a large sum.

Charity Work

Lloyd Webber is involved in many charity activities. He supports groups like the Elton John AIDS Foundation and Nordoff Robbins. In 1992, he started the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation. This foundation helps support arts, culture, and heritage in the UK.

In 2013, the Andrew Lloyd Webber Programme was launched. It helps schools give every child the chance to learn a musical instrument. He believes music helps children grow as people, not just as musicians.

Lloyd Webber's Cats-themed Paddington Bear statue in London, which helped raise money for the NSPCC.

In 2014, he designed a Cats-themed Paddington Bear statue for a charity event in London. These statues were auctioned to raise money for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).

Politics and Public Service

Lloyd Webber was made a life peer in 1997. This means he became a member of the House of Lords, part of the UK Parliament. He sat with the Conservative Party. In 2017, he retired from the House of Lords due to his busy schedule.

In 2021, he stated that he would no longer vote for the Conservatives. He felt they did not handle the COVID-19 pandemic well, especially concerning the arts.

Awards and Honours

Lloyd-Webber's coat of arms.

Lloyd Webber was made a knight in 1992 for his services to the arts. This means he can be called "Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber". In 1997, he was given a life peerage, becoming "Baron Lloyd-Webber". On St George's Day 2024, he was appointed a Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter (KG). This is a very high honour in the UK.

Theatre Credits

Note: Music composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber unless otherwise noted.

Film Adaptations

Many of Lloyd Webber's musicals have been made into films:

• Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)
• Evita (1996)
• The Phantom of the Opera (2004)
• Cats (2019)

Some of his musicals were also made into TV films and released on DVD:

• Cats (1998)
• Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1999)
• Jesus Christ Superstar (2000)
• By Jeeves (2001)

Special live performances of The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall (2011) and Love Never Dies (2012) were also filmed and released.

Other Works

• Gumshoe (1971) - Film music.
• The Odessa File (1974) – Film music.
• Variations (1978) – A set of musical pieces for his brother, Julian. This album was very popular in the UK.
• Requiem (1985) – A classical piece of church music written for his father.
• Watership Down (1999) – He composed a song called "Fields of Sun" for this animated TV series.

Discography

Musicals and Show Recordings

• The Likes of Us (1965)
• Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1968)
• Jesus Christ Superstar (1970)
• Jeeves (1975)
• Evita (1976)
• Tell Me on a Sunday (1979)
• Cats (1981)
• Song and Dance (1982)
• Starlight Express (1984)
• The Phantom of the Opera (1986)
• Aspects of Love (1989)
• Sunset Boulevard (1993)
• Whistle Down the Wind (1998)
• The Beautiful Game (2000)
• The Woman in White (2004)
• Love Never Dies (2010)
• The Wizard of Oz (2011)
• Stephen Ward (2013)
• School of Rock (2015)
• Cinderella (2021)
• Bad Cinderella (2023)

Other Albums

• Variations (1978)
• Variations with London Philharmonic Orchestra (1986)
• Symphonic Suites (2021)

See Also

In Spanish: Andrew Lloyd Webber para niños

• View of Geelong by Eugene von Guerard, 1856 painting once owned by Lloyd Webber