Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Andrew Lloyd Webber

Discover the career path of Andrew Lloyd Webber, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Andrew Lloyd Webber is a highly successful English composer and impresario, best known for his influential musical theatre productions. His impressive body of work includes 21 musicals, a song cycle, film scores, and a Requiem Mass. Many of his musicals have achieved extraordinary longevity, running for over a decade in both London's West End and on Broadway, solidifying his place as a giant in the world of musical theatre.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Legacy & Impact

1963: Enrolled at Eric Gilder School of Music

In 1963, Andrew Lloyd Webber was enrolled as a part-time student at the Eric Gilder School of Music, during which time he was working on a Genghis Khan musical called Westonia!.

1965: Abandoned Oxford to Study Music

In 1965, Andrew Lloyd Webber abandoned his history course at Magdalen College, Oxford, to study at the Royal College of Music in London and pursue his passion for musical theatre.

1965: Composition of The Likes of Us

In 1965, Andrew Lloyd Webber composed The Likes of Us with Tim Rice. It was not publicly performed until 2005.

1965: Met Tim Rice

In 1965, at age 17, Andrew Lloyd Webber met Tim Rice, a 20-year-old aspiring pop-song writer, marking the beginning of their collaboration.

1966: Demo tape produced for The Likes of Us

In 1966, Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice produced a demo tape for their first collaboration, The Likes of Us, a musical based on the story of Thomas John Barnardo, but it failed to gain a backer.

1967: Commissioned to write Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

In the summer of 1967, Lloyd Webber and Rice were commissioned to write a "pop cantata" for the Colet Court school's choir, resulting in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

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1969: "Try It and See" written for Eurovision

In 1969, Rice and Lloyd Webber wrote the song "Try It and See" for the Eurovision Song Contest, but it was not selected.

1970: Jesus Christ Superstar created

In 1970, Rice and Lloyd Webber created their third musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, which included a rewritten version of "Try It and See" as "King Herod's Song".

1971: Jesus Christ Superstar Debuts on Broadway

In 1971, Jesus Christ Superstar debuted on Broadway, eventually grossing over $237 million worldwide by 1980.

1972: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat becomes a stage musical

By 1972, the initial short cantata of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was revised, expanded and became a stage musical.

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1972: Jesus Christ Superstar Premiered in London

In 1972, Jesus Christ Superstar premiered in London and ran for over eight years.

1973: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat staged in the West End

In 1973, on the back of the success of Jesus Christ Superstar, the expanded two-hour-long production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was staged in the West End.

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1975: Jeeves Fails in the West End

In 1975, Jeeves, Lloyd Webber's musical with Alan Ayckbourn, closed after only 38 performances in the West End due to poor box office performance.

1976: Evita Released as a Concept Album

In 1976, Evita was first released as a concept album featuring Julie Covington, and the song "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" became a hit.

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1978: Lloyd Webber and Rice wrote Evita

In 1978, Andrew Lloyd Webber collaborated with Tim Rice to write Evita, a musical based on the life of Eva Perón.

1978: Variations project and theme tunes composed

In 1978, Lloyd Webber embarked on the Variations project with his brother Julian, which reached number two in the pop album chart, composed the theme tune for ITV's South Bank Show, and composed the theme music for the BBC's coverage of the 1978 FIFA World Cup.

1979: Evita Transfers to Broadway

In 1979, Evita transferred to Broadway, starring Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin, and won seven Tony Awards.

1980: Jesus Christ Superstar Grosses Over $237 Million

By 1980, Jesus Christ Superstar had grossed more than $237 million worldwide, demonstrating its global success.

1981: Cats Premieres

In 1981, Cats premiered, becoming the longest-running musical in London with 21 years and 8,949 performances. Elaine Paige originated the role of Grizabella.

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1984: Starlight Express Premieres

In 1984, Starlight Express premiered. While a commercial hit, it received negative reviews. It ran for 7,409 performances in London.

February 1985: Requiem Mass Premiered

On February 24, 1985, Lloyd Webber's Requiem Mass, dedicated to his father, premiered at St. Thomas Church in New York.

1986: Cricket Musical Created for Queen's Birthday

In 1986, Prince Edward commissioned Lloyd Webber and Rice to create Cricket, a short musical for Queen Elizabeth II's 60th birthday celebration, performed at Windsor Castle.

1988: Starlight Express runs full-time in Bochum, Germany

Since 1988, Starlight Express has been running full-time in a custom-built theatre in Bochum, Germany. It holds a Guinness World Record.

1989: Cats Overtakes Jesus Christ Superstar in the West End

In 1989, Cats overtook Jesus Christ Superstar as the longest-running West End musical.

1992: Started the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation

In 1992, Andrew Lloyd Webber established the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation to support the arts, culture, and heritage of the UK.

1992: Received Knighthood

In 1992, Andrew Lloyd Webber received a knighthood for his services to the arts, marking a significant honor in his career.

1992: Founded Watership Down Stud

In 1992, Lloyd Webber and his third wife Madeleine founded the Watership Down Stud.

1996: By Jeeves Produced

In 1996, Lloyd Webber and Ayckbourn revisited the Jeeves project, producing a reworked and more successful version entitled By Jeeves.

1996: Purchased Kiltinan Castle Stud

In 1996, Lloyd Webber and his wife expanded their equestrian holdings by purchasing Kiltinan Castle Stud near Fethard in County Tipperary, Ireland.

1997: Made a Life Peer

In 1997, Lloyd Webber was made a life peer as Baron Lloyd-Webber, of Sydmonton, in the county of Hampshire, sitting for the Conservative Party.

2001: Cited as Most Commercially Successful Composer

In 2001, The New York Times recognized Andrew Lloyd Webber as "the most commercially successful composer in history", underscoring his significant impact and achievements in the music industry.

2003: Royal Academy Exhibition of Art Collection

In 2003, an exhibition of works from Lloyd Webber's art collection was presented at the Royal Academy under the title 'Pre-Raphaelite and Other Masters – The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection'.

2005: Song Used in Conservative Party Film

In 2005, Lloyd Webber allowed his song "Take That Look Off Your Face" to be used on a Conservative Party promotional film.

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2005: First Public Performance of The LIkes of Us

In 2005, The Likes of Us received its first public performance at Lloyd Webber's Sydmonton Festival.

2006: Kennedy Center Honors

In 2006, Andrew Lloyd Webber received the Kennedy Center Honors, acknowledging his significant contribution to the performing arts.

2008: Classic Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music

In 2008, Andrew Lloyd Webber received a Classic Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music, recognizing his impact on the music industry.

2008: Named Fifth-Most Powerful Person in British Culture

In 2008, The Daily Telegraph named Andrew Lloyd Webber the fifth-most powerful person in British culture, highlighting his influence on the arts and culture scene. Lyricist Don Black noted that "Andrew more or less single-handedly reinvented the musical."

2008: Amateur Rights Released for The Likes of Us

In 2008, the amateur rights for The Likes of Us were released by the National Operatic and Dramatic Association (NODA), leading to the first amateur performance by a children's theatre group in Cornwall.

2009: Starlight Express UK Tour Transfers to New Zealand

In 2009, a three-year UK touring production of Starlight Express transferred to New Zealand.

2013: Launched Andrew Lloyd Webber Programme

In 2013, the Andrew Lloyd Webber Programme was launched to aid the Music in Secondary Schools Trust (MiSST), providing opportunities for children to study musical instruments.

2014: Designed Cats-themed Paddington Bear Statue

In 2014, Lloyd Webber designed a Cats-themed Paddington Bear statue, which was placed in Chinatown, London, and later auctioned to raise funds for the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).

October 2017: Retired from the House of Lords

In October 2017, Lloyd Webber retired from the House of Lords, citing his busy schedule and the upcoming Brexit legislation.

2018: Achieved EGOT Status

In 2018, after Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert won the Primetime Emmy Award, Andrew Lloyd Webber became the thirteenth person to achieve EGOT status by winning an Oscar, an Emmy, a Grammy, and a Tony Award.

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2023: Invited to ride in the King's procession at Royal Ascot

In 2023, Andrew Lloyd Webber and his wife Madeleine were invited to ride in the King's procession at Royal Ascot.

2023: Composed Anthem for Coronation of Charles III and Camilla

In 2023, Lloyd Webber composed "Make a Joyful Noise" for the coronation of Charles III and Camilla, which was performed during Queen Camilla's enthronement.

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2024: Announced Musical Adaptation of 'The Illusionist'

In 2024, Lloyd Webber announced his next musical will be an adaptation of the 2006 film The Illusionist, with lyrics by Bruno Major and book by Chris Terrio.

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November 2025: Premiere of Sherlock Holmes and The 12 Days of Christmas

In November 2025, Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice reunited to create original songs for "Sherlock Holmes and The 12 Days of Christmas", a comedy whodunit play written by Humphrey Ker and David Reed, which premiered at the Birmingham Rep on 14 November 2025 for the Christmas season.