History of Andrew Lloyd Webber in Timeline
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.
10 hours ago : The Phantom of the Opera Premieres on Sydney Harbour: A Dazzling Outdoor Spectacle.
The Phantom of the Opera has opened on Sydney Harbour with a massive outdoor production. The show promises spectacle and mastery, captivating audiences with its grandeur and performances.
1910: Release of Giacomo Puccini's opera, La fanciulla del West
In 1910, Giacomo Puccini released his opera, La fanciulla del West (The Girl of the Golden West).
1914: Birth of William Lloyd Webber
In 1914, William Lloyd Webber, Andrew Lloyd Webber's father, who was a composer and organist, was born.
1921: Birth of Jean Hermione Johnstone
In 1921, Jean Hermione Johnstone, Andrew Lloyd Webber's mother, who was a violinist and pianist, was born.
March 1948: Andrew Lloyd Webber's birth
In March 1948, Andrew Lloyd Webber was born at Westminster Hospital in London to William Lloyd Webber, a composer and organist, and Jean Hermione Johnstone, a violinist and pianist.
1960: Attended Westminster School
From 1960, Lloyd Webber was a Queen's Scholar at Westminster School, where he developed an appreciation for 1960s rock and pop music.
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!.
1963: The Daniel Jazz release
In 1963, Herbert Chappell's The Daniel Jazz, a piece similar to what Lloyd Webber was commissioned to write, was released.
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.
1966: Jonah-Man Jazz release
In 1966, Michael Hurd's Jonah-Man Jazz, another similar piece, was released before Lloyd Webber was commissioned.
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.
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".
July 1971: Marriage to Sarah Hugill
In July 1971, specifically on 24 July 1971, Lloyd Webber married Sarah Hugill.
1971: Jesus Christ Superstar Debuts on Broadway
In 1971, Jesus Christ Superstar debuted on Broadway, eventually grossing over $237 million worldwide by 1980.
1971: Declared Agnostic in New York Times Interview
In 1971, during an interview with The New York Times, Lloyd Webber stated that he is an agnostic.
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.
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.
1973: Release of Jesus Christ Superstar film
In 1973, the film adaptation of Lloyd Webber's musical, Jesus Christ Superstar, directed by Norman Jewison, was released.
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.
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.
November 1980: Subject of This Is Your Life
In November 1980, Andrew Lloyd Webber was surprised by Eamonn Andrews on This Is Your Life at Thames Television's Euston Road Studios in London.
1980: Jesus Christ Superstar Grosses Over $237 Million
By 1980, Jesus Christ Superstar had grossed more than $237 million worldwide, demonstrating its global success.
1980: Whicker's World theme tune used
From 1978 to 1980, Lloyd Webber's theme tune was used for the documentary series Whicker's World.
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.
1982: Death of William Lloyd Webber
In 1982, William Lloyd Webber, Andrew Lloyd Webber's father, passed away.
1982: Death of William Lloyd Webber, leading to Requiem creation
In 1982, the death of Andrew Lloyd Webber's father, William, was a significant event that later inspired the creation of Requiem.
November 1983: Divorce from Sarah Hugill
In November 1983, specifically on 14 November 1983, Lloyd Webber divorced Sarah Hugill.
March 1984: Marriage to Sarah Brightman
In March 1984, specifically on 22 March 1984, Lloyd Webber married English soprano Sarah Brightman in Hampshire.
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: Grammy Award for Requiem
In 1986, Lloyd Webber received a Grammy Award for Requiem in the category of best classical composition.
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.
1987: Puccini Estate Files Plagiarism Lawsuit
In 1987, the Puccini estate filed a lawsuit against Lloyd Webber, accusing him of plagiarism due to similarities between "The Music of the Night" and a melody in Giacomo Puccini's 1910 opera, La fanciulla del West.
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.
January 1990: Divorce from Sarah Brightman
In January 1990, specifically on 3 January 1990, Lloyd Webber divorced Sarah Brightman. Despite the divorce, they have remained close friends and continued to work together.
February 1991: Marriage to Madeleine Gurdon
In February 1991, specifically on 9 February 1991, Lloyd Webber married Madeleine Gurdon in Westminster.
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.
1993: Death of Jean Hermione Johnstone
In 1993, Jean Hermione Johnstone, Andrew Lloyd Webber's mother, passed away.
November 1994: Honored on This Is Your Life Again
In November 1994, Andrew Lloyd Webber was honored a second time on This Is Your Life, surprised by Michael Aspel at the Adelphi Theatre.
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.
1996: Release of Evita film
In 1996, the film adaptation of Lloyd Webber's musical, Evita, directed by Alan Parker, was released.
February 1997: Created Baron Lloyd-Webber
In February 1997, specifically on 18 February 1997, Lloyd Webber was created Baron Lloyd-Webber, of Sydmonton in the County of Hampshire.
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.
1998: Cats Made-for-TV film release
In 1998, Cats was adapted into a made-for-television film.
1999: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Made-for-TV film release
In 1999, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat was adapted into a made-for-television film.
2000: Jesus Christ Superstar Made-for-TV film release
In 2000, Jesus Christ Superstar was adapted into a made-for-television film.
2001: By Jeeves Made-for-TV film release
In 2001, By Jeeves was adapted into a made-for-television film.
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'.
2004: Release of The Phantom of the Opera film
In 2004, the film adaptation of Lloyd Webber's musical, The Phantom of the Opera, directed by Joel Schumacher and co-produced by Lloyd Webber, was released.
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.
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.
2006: Ranked 87th-Richest Person in Britain
The Sunday Times Rich List 2006 ranked Lloyd Webber as the 87th-richest person in Britain with an estimated fortune of £700 million.
2007: Wealth Increased to £750 Million
In 2007, Lloyd Webber's wealth increased to £750 million, according to The Sunday Times Rich List.
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: Ranked 101st in The Sunday Times Rich List
In 2008, The Sunday Times Rich List ranked Lloyd Webber 101st.
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.
2009: Underwent Surgery for Prostate Cancer
In late 2009, Lloyd Webber underwent surgery for early-stage prostate cancer and was later readmitted to hospital with a post-operative infection in November.
January 2010: Declared Cancer-Free
In January 2010, Lloyd Webber declared that he was cancer-free after having his prostate completely removed as a preventative measure.
June 2010: Sale of Picasso Painting at Auction
On June 23, 2010, Lloyd Webber's painting, 'Portrait of Angel Fernández de Soto' by Pablo Picasso, was sold at auction for £34.7 million to an anonymous telephone bidder.
October 2011: The Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary Performance
In early October 2011, a special performance of The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall for the 25th anniversary was broadcast live to cinemas.
February 2012: Release of The Phantom of the Opera DVD and Blu-ray
In February 2012, the 25th-anniversary performance of The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall was released on DVD and Blu-ray.
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.
August 2014: Signatory to Letter Opposing Scottish Independence
In August 2014, Lloyd Webber was one of 200 public figures who signed a letter to The Guardian opposing Scottish independence.
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 2015: Involved in Contentious House of Lords Vote
In October 2015, Lloyd Webber was involved in a contentious House of Lords vote over proposed cuts to tax credits, voting with the Government.
2015: Limited Voting Record in House of Lords
By the end of 2015, Lloyd Webber had voted only 33 times in the House of Lords.
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.
2019: Ranked Richest Musician in the UK
In 2019, The Sunday Times Rich List ranked Lloyd Webber as the richest musician in the UK with a fortune of £820 million ($1.074 billion).
2019: Release of Cats film
In 2019, the film adaptation of Lloyd Webber's musical, Cats, directed by Tom Hooper and executive produced by Lloyd Webber, was released.
July 2021: Vowed Never to Vote Conservative Again
In July 2021, Lloyd Webber stated on Good Morning Britain that he would never vote for the Conservatives again, citing their handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
2022: Appeared at BBC Platinum Jubilee Concert
In 2022, Lloyd Webber appeared alongside Lin-Manuel Miranda in the BBC Platinum Jubilee Concert for the Platinum Jubilee of Elizabeth II.
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.
2023: Death of Son Nicholas
In 2023, Lloyd Webber's son, Nicholas, passed away at the age of 43 after battling gastric cancer for 18 months.
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.
2024: House Blessed to Remove Poltergeist
In 2024, Lloyd Webber revealed he had his house in Eaton Square, Belgravia, London, blessed by a priest in an attempt to displace a "poltergeist" that was haunting the property.
2024: Appointed Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter
On St George's Day 2024, Lloyd Webber was appointed a Knight Companion of the Order of the Garter (KG).
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.
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