Like many people of a certain age, I first became aware of the name Andrew Lloyd Webber when Jesus Christ Superstar, the 1970 “rock opera” with music by Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Tim Rice was released. The two-LP package stoked a great deal of theological discussion at a point in my life when I had begun questioning my religious upbringing.
The story is “loosely based on the Gospels’ accounts of the last week of Jesus’s life, beginning with the preparation for the arrival of Jesus and his disciples in Jerusalem and ending with the crucifixion. It highlights political and interpersonal struggles between Judas Iscariot and Jesus that are not in the Bible narratives.” I played it incessantly, and know much of it by heart to this day.
Moreover, it generated two Top 100 singles for Yvonne Elliman, who played Mary Magdalene. I Don’t Know How To Love Him went to #28 and Everything’s Alright reached #92, both in 1971. Helen Reddy’s version of the former went to #13 that same year.
Superstar, essentially the title track, got only to #74 in early 1970, but was rereleased and eventually reached #14 in 1971. It was sung by Murray Head, the Judas Iscariot performer, with the Trinidad Singers.
Though written before JCSS, I next became aware of the single album Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, which, in the US, was a reissue of the 1969 Decca UK album. This music has been greatly expanded since then, with some song titles I do not recognize.
Evita, a musical based on the life of Eva Perón, turned out to be the last Lloyd Webber/Rice collaboration. It was first released as a concept album in 1976, then was performed in the West End in 1978, where it ran for ten years. Patti LuPone created the role of Eva on Broadway in 1979, for which she won a Tony.
Don’t Cry for Me Argentina is the best-known song, performed by a group called Festival in 1980 (#72 US), and Madonna (#8 US in 1997, from the 1996 movie starring her and Antonio Banderas).
“Lloyd Webber embarked on his next project without a lyricist, turning instead to the poetry of T. S. Eliot. Cats (1981) was to become the longest-running musical in London, where it ran for 21 years before closing. On Broadway, Cats ran for 18 years, a record which would ultimately be broken by another Lloyd Webber musical, The Phantom of the Opera.”
Memory is the big hit from Cats, which I heard LONG before I ever saw the show only a few years ago. “Elaine Paige, who originated the role of Grizabella in the West End production, released a version of the song that… peaked at No. 6 on the UK Singles Chart in July 1981… Barbra Streisand’s cover reached #52 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #9 on the Billboard adult contemporary chart in 1982. In the UK this version peaked at #34 the same year. Barry Manilow released a cover as a single in late 1982; this became the highest-charting version on the Billboard Hot 100 when it reached #39 in January 1983. Manilow’s recording also made the Billboard adult contemporary chart, reaching #8.”
This could go on – the most recent production of Andrew Lloyd Webber is School of Rock, based on the movie – but I did want to cite some of his awards. He was knighted in 1992, and “received seven Tony Awards, three Grammy Awards, an Academy Award… a Golden Globe Award, a Brit Award, the 2006 Kennedy Center Honors, and the 2008 Classic Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music. He has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, is an inductee into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, and is a fellow of the British Academy of Songwriters, Composers, and Authors.”
LISTEN TO the music of Andrew Lloyd Webber
I Don’t Know How To Love Him- Helen Reddy
Everything’s Alright – Yvonne Elliman & Ian Gillan (from JCSS)
Superstar – Murray Head With The Trinidad Singers (from JCSS)
Close every door – Donny Osmond (Joseph – 1999, a straight-to-video film)
Don’t Cry For Me Argentina – Madonna
Great choice Roger! I also like these musicals by Andrew Lloyd Webber! I have several of them on video tape.
Thanks for the treat.
Wil
My younger daughter sang “I Don’t Know How to Love Him” at a high school amateur talent show. She has a phenomenal voice and enjoys karaoke – sent her to vocal lessons for years, but it’s just a hobby for her. When she was living with me (as a child and later on) I would stop everything when I heard her singing upstairs…she knows all the words to ALW’s songs and when she thinks she’s alone…well, stop the world – she is GOOD! But with bipolar, it’s very frightening to get up in front of an audience.
leslie
abcw team
My friend Paula, aka Del, used to play organ for weddings. Her most memorable wedding was when the bride, in church and full bridal regalia, wanted to sing a song to her groom DURING THE CEREMONY. Not at the reception, during the ceremony. So here is Del, at the organ (not piano, mind you), accompanying the bride on the song… “I don’t know how to looooove him, what to do, how to mooove him…” “I don’t know why he frightens me, he’s just a man…” “And I’ve had sooooo many men before; in very many ways, he’s just one more.”
It was all Del could do to NOT fall off the bench laughing. True story. Hell, you cannot make this stuff up! And yes, we are still friends, still laughing.
Well, that’s what this post brought up for me. Now to send her a message on Facebook. Love your blog, Roger! Amy
Good to know this musician.
His talent will go on forever. I guess I am “of a certain age”, for these songs roll around in my head so easily.
Absolute master of his art also his brother is a genius, as I’m sure you know. master of the cello.
Best wishes,
Di.
ABCW team.
Indeed a person i admire very much too…. i love his music, have already often, and will keep, enjoyed his music.
I recognize and can sing a lot of his music! Have a great week Roger!
Roger another great post and filled with delightful information ~ thanks!
Wishing you peace in each day ~ ^_^
Jesus Christ Superstar is one of my favorite albums, and I still have the 33 (LP) album version in my old footlocker. I also love Cats, which I was fortunate to be able to attend when I was living in the DFW area. Andrew Lloyd Webber is definitely a legend.
Good choice for L.
My ABC WEDNESDAY
Whenever anyone mentions Evita, I can’t help but hear the parody ‘Don’t Cry for my Old Cortina’ in my mind. (The Cortina was an old Ford model in the UK) Proof that the internet doesn’t know everything, I can’t find anything other than passing mentions to it on the web.
My own parody was Don’t Cry for Me, Art and Tina.
Came to know a remarkable person through your post..Thanks for sharing.
Very informative post! You do that always!
Happy ABCW!
Its only seeing it written down like this brings it home what a long time he has been writing great music (and hits)
Came across his music while in school as we were staging a musical by the same name. Sometimes writings bring back the memories.
This was a wonderful choice, Roger. Love his music.
Interesting ! I saw “Cats” in London, was wonderful !